The Kenosha County Division of Health will now be offering the annual flu vaccine at their Nurse of the Day locations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kenosha County Division of Health recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months and older as the single best way to protect against influenza.
People at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease; those who care for or live with them; health care workers; and people 65 years and older should make getting vaccinated a priority.
This year’s flu vaccine is made in the same way as past flu vaccines and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an average of 100 million doses of influenza vaccine has been used in the United States each year and has an excellent safety record.
It is not too early to get your flu vaccine. You can be vaccinated in September and be protected throughout the entire flu season. The season typically runs from October through May with the peak in January.
The vaccine is available in two forms, a flu shot or nasal spray. The flu shot contains inactivated, or killed, viruses. The nasal spray contains live viruses that are weakened. Neither vaccine will cause influenza.
The vaccine is available from the Kenosha County Health Department at two locations:
- Kenosha County Center Highways 45 and 50 Bristol, Monday 8 a.m.-noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to noon.
- Kenosha County Job Center 8600 Sheridan Road Kenosha, Monday-Friday 8a.m. to 5 p.m. and First Thursday of every month 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Medicare Part B and BadgerCare are accepted. Please bring immunization records (if available) and a BadgerCare Card (if enrolled). An administrative fee for the vaccine may apply.
To reduce the spread of influenza, it is important to practice the 3 C’s:
- Clean – properly wash your hands frequently.
- Cover – cover your cough and sneeze.
- Contain – contain your germs by staying home if you are sick.
For more information, please call the Kenosha County Health Department at (262) 605-6700, (800) 472-8008, or visit http://www.co.kenosha.wi.us/dhs/Divisions/Health/.
