'Flu Express' to provide drive-through flu shots

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20: Commencing October 24th Flu Vaccine will be available from Department of Health Centers at a cost of $10.00 per shot for adults and children.  

 “Flu Express”

Who should consider attending the “Flu Express”:

• Adults, seniors and anyone who has had the flu shot before

• Children aged 10 years and older.

• Individuals should be in good health with no active infections.

• Those with chronic health problems, eg diabetes, chest or heart disease, should inform their doctor when they have been vaccinated.

Flu shot only will be offered at these sites 

You will not be given the shot if:

• You have allergies to eggs or products from chicken

• You have had a reaction to the flu shot before

• You have a fever

Please have the right cash ready. (Credit/debit card facilities will not be available).  

Flu vaccine is also available from most private physicians.  The flu vaccine will also be available at the following Health Centres

• Hamilton Health Centre                        Monday to Friday        8.30 – 11.30:

                                                            Wednesdays               2 – 4 pm

• Somerset Health Centre                      Tuesdays                    2 – 4 pm

• St George’s Health Centre                  Fridays    2 – 4 pm

Influenza or flu, is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the influenza virus. It is generally spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes from an infected individual. In the USA, 20-30 thousand mostly elderly people die each year from complications of flu. There were no deaths attributed locally to influenza. 

Outbreaks of flu are most common in the winter and occur each year, peaking in the months of January & February in the northern hemisphere and in July & August in the southern hemisphere. These annual outbreaks are due to minor changes, (‘viral shifts)’ in the surface proteins of the virus, which enable them to evade the immunity that individuals developed following a previous infection or a flu shot.  Having an annual flu shot provides a high level of immunity to the current strains of flu virus. Individuals who have had flu before or been immunized previously will only have partial immunity to this seasons flu. They are vulnerable but may have less severe symptoms.

Flu symptoms.

Symptoms of flu develop two to four days after exposure. Typically, persons experience a sudden onset of sore throat, and runny nose with high fever, headache, backache, muscle pains fatigue and general malaise. Although it is unpleasant and debilitating, most people recover after a few days. Extra fluids, bed rest and aspirin or acetaminophen are all that are needed. (Aspirin is not indicated for children with flu-like symptoms because it may cause Reyes syndrome).

In some people flu can be quite serious because it may increase their risk of developing complications such as pneumonia. The very young, the frail elderly and people with other medical conditions are those most likely to develop complications. If cough, high fever, or un-wellness persists beyond a few days especially in these groups, a physician should be consulted in case antibiotics or other medications are required for secondary infection.

Flu prevention

The chance of contracting flu and other upper respiratory infections can be reduced by frequent hand washing practices, by ‘covering’ coughs and sneezes, disposing of soiled tissues and avoiding crowded places.

Flu vaccine is a safe and highly effective method of preventing most cases of flu. Side effects are rare and usually mild.

The flu vaccine currently available has been designed to provide protection against the strains of virus thought to be most likely in circulation for the 2011/12 flu season. It is an ‘inactivated’ vaccine, ie it contains killed viruses and therefore cannot cause a flu-like infection. It is administered by injection and is safe from ages 6 months onwards.

Pneumococcal Vaccine, which protects against pneumococcal pneumonia, may also be recommended by physicians for some individuals and can be given at the same time as flu vaccine. Generally, a single shot provides prolonged immunity and does not need to be repeated annually. Pneumococcal Vaccine costs $20.00.