“Stop the Flu” is the theme for the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department’s 2013 Seasonal Flu Immunizations. The Health Department wants everyone to know they can protect themselves and their family by getting a flu vaccination.
The first clinic is Thursday, September 12, at the Richland County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Arts and Crafts Building.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccine for everyone ages 6-months and older.
“Every year in the United States there are more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths from complications of influenza,” Mary Derr, Public Health Nursing Supervisor and Epidemiologist at the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department, said. “Nobody likes to be sick. Getting the flu will cause you to miss work or school along with your favorite activities. You might also pass the flu on to your family, friends or co-workers. Protect yourself. Protect others. Get vaccinated.”
The Health Department has scheduled 13 dates and 10 different sites for flu immunization clinics. The schedule is available by calling the Flu Hotline at 419-774-4553 or by searching the Health Department website online at www.richlandhealth.org.
Flu vaccine is $22 for adults 19 years and older and $10 for children from ages 6-months old through 18 years old. A parent, legal guardian, or another adult must accompany children less than 18 years old and provide written permission. The Health Department accepts Medicare/Medicaid, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medical Mutual Insurance. Please bring your insurance card. Cash and personal checks are also accepted. In order to speed processing, adults are asked to bring their driver’s license.
Neighborhood Immunization Clinics will also provide flu vaccines for children 6-months through 18-years-old beginning in October. Call 419-774-8115 for those dates, locations and times.
Changes in times and dates for flu clinics may occur. Any schedule changes will be listed on the Health Department website and the Flu Hotline (419-774-4553). The flu immunization program is partially funded by local levy dollars.
Upcoming flu shot clinics offer residents an opportunity to prevent the flu.