Flu vaccine clinic Oct. 9 at fairgrounds
A patient is given a flu vaccine Oct. 28, 2022, in Lynwood, Calif. On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to pay Moderna $176 million to develop a mRNA vaccine to treat bird flu in people, as cases in dairy cows continue to mount across the country. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
The Flathead City-County Health Department’s annual flu clinic is Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.
The Health Department recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot every season. Influenza vaccination is the best way to prevent getting the flu, the department advised, but it takes up to two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.
Flu is a contagious, upper-respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. It can affect any person in any age group.
Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza, including:
- People sixty-five years and older
- Children younger than 5, but especially younger than two years old
- People with certain chronic health conditions like asthma and COPD, diabetes (both type 1 and 2), heart disease, neurological conditions, and certain other health conditions
- Pregnant women
Most insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare will be accepted; no child will be refused vaccine due to inability to pay. For more information call 406-751-8101.