Flu Vaccines Available at No Cost

Flu incidence in North Carolina continues to rise above what would normally be seen at this time of year, and the state has recently suffered its first two flu deaths of this winter. One of the victims was a Piedmont adult with no pre-existing medical conditions suggesting high risk for flu complications; the individual had not received a flu vaccine.

The Buncombe County Department of Health strongly recommends that anyone six months of age and above who has not yet received a flu vaccine be vaccinated now. Vaccines are available at the Buncombe County Department of Health at no cost to anyone who is six months of age and above and does not have health insurance that will cover it.

Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with a chronic illness should be especially vigilant about getting a flu vaccine, as they are among the most likely groups to experience complications from flu. It is equally important that children in childcare and school have the vaccine, as they are most likely to get and spread the illness.

Flu vaccines are available at the Department of Health and Human Services building, 40 Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville (across the street from the bus terminal and post office).  The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Those with health insurance are asked to bring their insurance card with them.

Flu vaccines are also available at:

• Buncombe County Human Services West, 339 Leicester Hwy. Wednesdays from 8:30-5 p.m. and Thursdays from 8-12 noon

• Black Mountain Methodist Church, 101 Church St., Black Mountain. 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 9-3 p.m.

To help ensure that the flu vaccine keeps you well, it’s very important, in addition to getting a flu shot, that you wash your hands carefully before you prepare food or eat, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, or any other time during the day that they may be soiled. After washing, use a towel to turn off the water and open the door to avoid picking up germs from others.

For more information about the flu, please visit the Buncombe County Flu website at www.buncombecounty.org/flu. You may also want to visit the CDC’s Influenza website at www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm.