Staff Reports

The Buncombe County Department of Health’s flu vaccine clinic will be held this year at the Biltmore Square Mall from October 22-23 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. This flu clinic will be open to anyone six months of age and above.

Flu shots will be available for all ages, flu mist will be available for children aged two through 18 years old. A limited amount of flu mist for adults will be available beginning October 25 at the Buncombe County Department of Health, 35 Woodfin Street in downtown Asheville, across from the YMCA. Look for signs posted with directions to Immunization.

Cost of flu vaccines at all clinics will be $25 for the shot and $31 for Flu Mist. Vaccines may be paid for by cash, check, MasterCard, VISA or most major insurance companies. Insurance cards must be presented before a vaccine is received. Children who are not covered by health insurance may be eligible for a flu vaccine at no charge.

 

While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially
important that pregnant women, children younger than five, people 65
and older, and people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care
facilities, be vaccinated. You should also be vaccinated if you are
part of a household of persons at high risk for complications from the
flu, or in contact with, or a caregiver of, children less than six
months old.


Prevention & Care
The best way to prevent flu is to get a flu shot. Beyond that, there are many every day ways to reduce your risk of getting flu.
•    Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
•    Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are
not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub that contains at least 60%
alcohol.
•    Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
•    Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
•    If you are sick with a flu–like illness, CDC recommends that you
stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get
medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone
without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
•    While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
For more information about the flu vaccine for 2010 visit www.buncombecounty.org/flu; www.cdc.gov/flu; or www.flu.gov.