February 2, 2011
(Wise, VA) – It is not too late to get a flu shot! The Lenowisco Health District will offer seasonal flu vaccine to everyone ages six months and up at a series of vaccine clinics in February. All of the following clinics are walk-in, no appointment required, and are at no cost to the patient. The clinics will begin February 2, 2011, run from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and will continue until the limited vaccine supply is gone.
Clinic locations are:
- Wise County Health Department, 134 Roberts St., SW, Wise. 276-328-8000.
- Scott County Health Department, 190 Beech St., Gate City. 276-386-1312.
- Lee County Health Department, Hill Street, Jonesville. 276-346-2011.
“Remember, you can be spreading the flu for 24 hours before you even feel sick. Getting a flu shot is not just about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting vulnerable people around you your children, grandchildren, grandparents and others who may be particularly vulnerable to this highly contagious disease,” said Eleanor S. Cantrell, M.D., director, Lenowisco Health District.
Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. The flu season in southwest Virginia usually peaks in January and February, so there is still time to protect yourself and those whose lives you touch.
Annual vaccination is recommended for everyone over six months of age, and is especially recommended for the following high-risk groups:
- Persons at high risk for complications, including children ages six months to five years, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions and people who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications, including household contacts of persons at high risk, household contacts and caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated as their bodies will not respond to the vaccine well enough to be helpful, it is not a safety issue) and health care workers.
For more information, call your local health department, or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.