Community Corner

Flu Vaccine Now Available in Hillsborough County

You can get your flu shot at the Hillsborough County Health Department's Immunization Clinic.

Be prepared this year for flu season.

The 2011-12 Influenza vaccine is now available to the community at the Hillsborough County Health Department's Immunization Clinic located at 2002 E. 26th Ave., Tampa.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine, according to a press release from the Hillsborough County Health Department.

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Ample supplies of influenza vaccine are now available throughout the community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop an immune response. Get vaccinated now so that you will be protected when flu season begins.

In the United States, influenza season usually begins in October and can last until May.

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The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first and best way to protect against influenza. This recommendation is the same even during years when the vaccine composition (the viruses the vaccine protects against) remains unchanged from the previous season.

This fall, everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated
against the flu as soon as 2011-12 influenza vaccines become available, even if they got vaccinated last season.

Several studies conducted over different flu seasons and involving
different influenza viruses and types of flu vaccine have shown that a
person's protection against influenza viruses declines over the course of a year after vaccination, particularly in the elderly. So, a flu shot given during one season may not provide adequate protection through later seasons.

This decline in protection has the potential to leave some people more
vulnerable to infection, illness and possibly serious complications from the same influenza viruses a year after being vaccinated.

For optimal protection against influenza, annual vaccination is
recommended regardless of strain changes.

Contact your health-care provider to receive your annual vaccine, or visit our Main Immunization Clinic at the Hargrett Building, 2002 E. 26th Ave. Tampa, 813-307-8077. Call first for availability of vaccine.

The cost of a flu shot at the Hillsborough County Health Department is $20; a high-dose flu shot is $35. Pneumonia vaccines are also available for $79. All are covered by Medicare A & B. Bring your Medicare card and a photo ID if paying by check or credit card.

You can also call the flu shot hotline at 813-307-8073 for current
information. Information also is available at http://hillscountyhealth.org

In addition to vaccination, you can also reduce your risk of contracting respiratory infections by following a few simple steps:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleanser. Teach your children to do the same.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick and keep sick children home.
  • Avoid crowds - where people are likely to be coughing and sneezing.
  • Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal items.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then put used tissues in a waste container and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.


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