Richland County Health Department (RCHD) will hold a mass flu shot clinic at the Community Services Building on Thursday, October 6th, from 10 am to 6 pm. Medicaid, Medicare & other insurances may be billed for those who bring their cards. RCHD will also be offering a limited number of free colorectal cancer screening kits to be handed out during this one day clinic. Persons between the ages of 50 and 75 years of age may qualify to receive a kit.
The Richland County Health Department will have plenty of vaccine available for ages 6 months old through adult (99+years) at the mass clinic. No appointment is needed during the clinic. The cost of flu vaccine will vary from $32 to $60 depending on the individual’s age and the type of vaccine used. There will be no Flu Mist available.
Influenza vaccinations will be available for the next eight months since influenza activity can circulate anytime from late October through April. RCHD would like to encourage all employers to send their employees to be vaccinated. Having illness from influenza can lead to lost work time for businesses. Groups may be billed -- make arrangements ahead of time by calling the health department.
The Flu is caused by influenza viruses; the flu is a contagious respiratory illness with sudden onset of cough, chest discomfort, fever, chills and body aches; - not the “stomach flu,” which is characterized by vomiting and diarrhea. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and other complications depending on your current health and medical status. Along with getting a flu vaccination, please practice good hand washing, covering your cough, and staying home when feeling ill.
The vaccination shot will not give you the flu, because the vaccine does not contain live virus; it is “inactivated,” containing only killed virus. It may cause soreness at the site of the shot area or a slight fever but these symptoms will not last long. Before anyone receives a flu shot, they will be screened about their health status to determine whether there is any medical reason that would make vaccination not recommended. The forms can be found on the Richland County Health Department Face Book Page and the Richland County web site (richland.org) to be filled out in advance for the clinic if desired.
Last year (2015-16 Flu Season) Influenza in Montana resulted in 4,734 reported positive cases with 433 persons hospitalized and 33 deaths. Please help reduce those numbers by getting vaccinated!
For further information call the Richland County Public Health Department at 433 – 2207.
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