The Minnesota Department of Health is cosponsoring a Ban the Bug campaign next week to encourage people to get vaccinated in December — before the peak flu season period from January through April.
Flu vaccinations are encouraged annually to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting it to others. Flu viruses spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing or touch. Most healthy adults can infect others a day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick.
“A new recommendation this year is that all children between six months and 18 years of age get an influenza vaccination,” said Kristen Ehresmann, head of the MDH immunization section. “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated.”
Flu shots are also recommended for the following at-risk people:
• Pregnant women.
• Over age 50.
• Have a chronic medical condition.
• Live in or work with people in nursing homes or long term care facilities.
Symptoms of flu include high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, and stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and is more common in children.
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
“It takes about two weeks to develop maximum protection after a flu shot, so don’t delay,” said Ehresmann. “If you get your shot during Ban The Bug week, you should be almost fully immune by the holidays.”
The Koochiching County Public Health Department will have a flu immunization clinic from 3-7 p.m. Tuesday on the second floor of the county Annex, 1000 5th St. Call 283-7070 for more information.
The cost for the shot is $20 and the department will bill Medical Assistance, Medicare or Medicare Advantage programs.
Susan Congrave, director of the Koochiching County Health Department, said she encourages flu vaccinations to all people over the age of six months unless contraindicated by a doctor. She noted that there is a limited amount of vaccine remaining, but that area clinics have vaccine should county officials run out during the flu clinic.
Congrave said that the MDH notifies counties of confirmed cases and that none have been reported yet this year. She said it is very early in the season, however, and expects to hear of cases in the near future.
“People are complaining of sore throats, but there are no confirmed outbreaks of flu in the county or the state,” she added.
The mist form is now available as a live vaccine alternative to the dead virus in the shot form. Both are effective and some prefer the mist to the shot. The mist form will not be offered at Tuesday’s clinic.
Falls Memorial Hospital and the Duluth Clinic-International Falls held flu clinics last month. The Duluth Clinic has vaccine remaining and it is available by appointment.
The Littlefork Medical Center already held its clinic as well, but welcomes walk-in vaccinations.
For more information on health and influenza, visit www.mdhflu.com.
