Fill-in-Blank News Release for County Health Departments

For Release:     _____ 2012
Contact:          (Name/title)
Phone:            (Telephone number)

_____ County Health Department Schedules Flu Vaccine Clinics

The _____ County Health Department announced today its seasonal influenza vaccination clinic schedule for the upcoming flu season. Clinics will begin October 1st. Clinic days and times are as follows: __________________________________________________________________.

Flu vaccine will be available for anyone who wants to be protected from influenza. The shot is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Persons at high risk of serious complications from flu are strongly encouraged to get the flu vaccine, including pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung disease, or other chronic conditions. Parents and family members of babies less than 6 months of age and people who live with or care for anyone at high risk for complications from the flu, including health care workers, should also get the vaccine.

“Flu can be a dangerous disease for people of all ages, even healthy children and adults,” said _____, administrative director for the _____ County Health Department. "We encourage everyone in _____ County to protect themselves and their families by getting their annual flu shot.”

Public health officials stress that immunity from a flu vaccination received last year will not provide protection this year. Influenza vaccine formulation for this year includes two strains different from last year’s flu vaccine, as well as the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain. Influenza virus samples collected from around the world indicate these strains of influenza virus are the most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season. “Getting an annual flu shot is the most important step in protecting against the flu,” said _____. “Influenza vaccine is very safe and effective."

The _____ County Health Department will be providing flu vaccine using the following fee schedule:

• No charge for families whose income is less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
• No charge for adults 65 years of age and older.
• No charge for children who have no health insurance, or are on SoonerCare or are Native American or Alaskan natives, or children whose insurance does not cover vaccines.
• Children and adults with health insurance that covers vaccines and those with incomes above 185 percent of the poverty level will be charged a fee of $25.00 for flu vaccine to cover the cost of the vaccine and the cost of administering the vaccine. 
• The _____ County Health Department will accept cash, checks or credit cards for payment.

High-dose flu vaccine, a vaccine with four times the antigen than regular flu vaccine, will be available for persons 65 and older. “Immune systems are less responsive as people age. The high-dose vaccine should provide more protection, although it may come with a slightly higher chance for typical side effects like sore arm, headache, and low fever,” said _____.   

In addition to getting a flu vaccination, persons 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions should ask their doctor if they should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, if they have not already received a dose.  Pneumococcal pneumonia is a common and potentially serious complication of the flu. Unlike the influenza vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine does not need to be given every year.

For more information about the upcoming flu clinics at the _____ County Health Department, call (phone number).

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