Sedgwick County to Offer Flu Vaccines at Main Clinic

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Sedgwick County Health Division says the flu vaccine is still the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu and will offer its vaccine on October 1st.

Influenza is a contagious disease that is spreading in the United States every year, usually between October and May.

Influenza Vaccines from the Sedgwick County Health Division are free for uninsured adults 19 years of age and older, and for children 18 and under with CHIP, Medicaid, Amerigroup, United Healthcare or Sunflower. A sliding scale of $ 2 to $ 20.26 will be applied to children 18 and under who are not insured. Please remember the following:

Residents who are not eligible for OHVC flu vaccines should contact their insurance company to find out where flu shots are covered by their plans and use the online flu shot detector to find a place near them. from your place.

Residents who qualify can visit the main OHOSC clinic located at 2716 W. Central (67203) in Wichita. The hours of the clinic are:

• Monday-Wednesday from 8h to 17h
• Thursday noon at 6:30 pm
• Friday, 8h-17h (no walks after 16:30 for vaccinations)

Proof of income, such as pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, a letter of assignment, or a letter from your employer, is required to qualify for the full carrier cost scale. .

The flu is caused by influenza viruses and is spread mainly through coughing, sneezing and close contact.

Everyone can catch the flu. The flu strikes suddenly and can last for several days. Symptoms vary by age, but may include: fever / chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache, runny or runny nose.

"People who develop flu symptoms should contact their health care provider because it is extremely infectious," said SCDOH director Adrienne Byrne. "Prescription antiviral medications are available to reduce the duration of flu symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that protect against infection with the influenza virus develop in the body. The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent infection, but every person must be re-vaccinated every year because influenza viruses change every year. "

There is no live virus in the flu shots and the vaccine can not cause the flu. The SCDOH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend influenza vaccine because it can prevent you from contracting the flu, make the flu less serious if you reach it, and prevent you from spreading the flu to your family and your family. other people. The CDC recommends getting the vaccination at the end of October because the virus usually circulates most often from the late autumn until early spring.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for anyone aged six months or older unless otherwise directed by a physician. Other high-risk populations include people aged 50 and over, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, extremely obese people, residents of retirement homes and other long-term care facilities.

The flu vaccination protects the person who receives it, as well as other people who are not able to receive this type of vaccination. Visit www.flu.gov for information on resources in your area or call our Immunizations line at 316-660-7362.