It’s FLU SHOT Time. There Will Be Enough Flu Vaccine for Everyone. However, We Will Not Have the Vaccine Until Mid-November.
For the 2001-2002 Influenza season, Whidbey General Hospital (WGH) and the Island County Health Department have teamed up to provide community immunizations. There will be a series of flu shot clinics throughout the island this year and we highly recommend that you protect yourself against this severe viral respiratory infection. Influenza generally arrives in the Pacific Northwest in late December to mid January so even with the late arrival of the vaccine people should be protected in plenty of time.
High Risk persons will receive their flu shots first this year. After the high risk population is vaccinated, shots will be available for the generally healthy, 65 years of age population.
Who is a High Risk person?
* You are 65 or older* You reside in a nursing home
* You have heart, lung,* You are HIV positive
or kidney disease * You are more than 3 months pregnant
* You have cancer* You work in direct patient care
* You have diabetes* You are a child with asthma or other chronic
heart/lung conditions
Please respect the fact that these people need their vaccine first. We will announce when the vaccine is available for generally healthy people.
Who is a Generally Healthy person?
* You are less than 65 years old
* You do not have any of the chronic disease conditions listed above
Consult your doctor
Some people should consult with a doctor before getting the influenza vaccine. You should consult your doctor if you:
1)ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or a previous dose of influenza vaccine
or
2)have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
The fee for the flu shots will be $12.00. Persons with Medicare Part B and medical coupons will not be charged for flu shots, but it is imperative that we see your card or medical coupons at the time of service.
Note: Some people get a mild fever or a sore arm after a flu shot. But the flu shot will not give you the flu.
For those interested, pneumonia shots will also be available for $21.00. Pneumonia shots are also covered by Medicare/Medicaid. The Center of Disease Control recommends this vaccine once in a lifetime, and it is recommended for people age 65 and older. Those who are younger then 65 years of age and have a chronic illness and are more likely to get pneumonia should consult with their physician.
Curb Service Available
If there is someone with mobility limitations who desires a flu shot, once you arrive at the clinic site, send a representative in and we’ll send paperwork and a nurse out to your car to administer the flu shot.
All clinics will be open from 10:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. at the following locations:
*Wednesday, Nov. 14th at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 NW Alexander
*Friday, Nov. 16th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 201 NE
O’Leary, Oak Harbor
*Tuesday, Nov 20th at Langley. Langley location not yet confirmed.
*Wednesday, Nov. 28th at Trinity Lutheran Church, at 1460 Hwy 525 in Freeland
*Friday, Nov. 30th at the Coupeville Recreation Center
*Monday, Dec. 10th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 201 NE
O’Leary, Oak Harbor
*Friday, Dec. 14th at the Coupeville Recreation Hall
It’s very easy to catch the flu. And the flu can make you very ill. The best way to protect yourself against the flu is to have a flu shot each year. Any questions, please call Island County Health Department Nursing Services at 679-7351 or 321-5111 ext. 7351.
