Fall is officially here with shorter days, cooler temperatures and falling
leaves. Unfortunately, it also signals the rapidly approaching arrival
of the flu season.
Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes
even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can
affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year,
hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or tens
of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. Even healthy
people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Everyone
6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season.
CDC estimates that flu-related hospitalizations since 2010 ranged from
140,000 to 710,000, while flu-related deaths are estimated to have ranged
from 12,000 to 56,000. During flu season, flu viruses circulate at higher
levels in the U.S. population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best
way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading
it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu
can spread through that community.
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after
vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with
the viruses that are in the vaccine.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research
indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. CBHA has the
Quadrivalent vaccine available at all clinic locations. This vaccine will
protect against four flu viruses: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza
A (H3N2) virus, an influenza B virus, and an additional B virus. We have
preservative free available for 3 to 19 year olds. We do not currently
have the high-dose shot available.
On Saturday, September 30, 2017 we will have two flu shot clinics. We will
vaccinating patients at our clinic on 14th Avenue Medical Center here in Othello, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Our
staff will also be at the Mattawa Flea Market that same day from 12 p.m.
– 4 p.m. You may also come into the clinic to receive your vaccine
at any time.
The flu shot is covered by many insurance companies. However, if you are
uninsured the shot will only cost $20 in cash. If you have any questions,
please call CBHA at 509-488-5256.