[ad_1]
The Arkansas Department of Health (DHA) will provide influenza vaccines throughout the state in anticipation of the 2018-19 influenza season starting this week. Each health unit in Arkansas County will host a mass flu vaccination clinic, which usually takes place on a day when the health unit and many community volunteers come together to provide flu shots to as many people as possible.
People should bring their insurance card to the flu clinic. If someone does not have insurance or if insurance does not cover the flu shot, the vaccine will be available for free. Please contact the nearest local health center for information on influenza vaccination clinics. The coordinates of the local health unit can be found on www.healthy.arkansas.gov.
It is important to get vaccinated every year because the flu virus changes from one year to the next. This year's vaccine protects against influenza viruses that are expected to cause the most illness during the flu season.
"The flu should not be taken lightly," said Dirk Haselow, MD, PhD, an epidemiologist with the state of DHA. "We encourage everyone to get the flu shot to protect themselves and their families, because it's hard to predict the severity of the influenza season in advance."
People of all ages can get the flu. Some people are more likely to have serious health problems if they contract the flu. This includes the elderly, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), people who smoke and people who live in nursing homes nurses. Therefore, ADH strongly recommends that people in these groups be vaccinated against influenza. It is also recommended that friends, family members, and caregivers of these groups also receive a vaccine, not only to protect themselves, but also to reduce the possibility that they will expose people to HIV / AIDS. They like and take care of the flu. .
The flu vaccine is safe and does not cause the flu. Some people may experience mild pain and redness near the injection site and a low fever or mild headache. There are very few medical reasons to skip the flu shot. These include life-threatening allergic reactions to an earlier dose of the influenza vaccine or to an ingredient in the vaccine. People who are allergic to the ingredients of the vaccine can often get the vaccine safely, if they are given in a doctor's office where they can be monitored.
The flu spreads easily by coughing or sneezing and touching something like a door knob with the virus and touching the nose or mouth. Good handwashing habits are important for preventing the flu; However, the best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated.
For more information, visit www.healthy.arkansas.gov or www.flu.gov.
Source link
