Fall Signals the Beginning of Influenza Season

As summer turns to fall, it is once again time to start thinking about preparing for influenza. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza is to get a flu vaccine every flu season. Flu is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious illness.

This year, it is especially important to get your flu vaccination. Myrtue Medical Center and all other health systems will once again be handling two circulating viruses this fall, influenza and COVID-19. By getting vaccinated against the flu, you’re protecting yourself and your community from influenza illness. For those that are healthy and want to receive both an influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine, current CDC guidance allows for co-administration of COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccine, including flu vaccines. You may sign up for both vaccines during Public Health clinics if you so choose.

Shelby County Public Health will be providing influenza clinics throughout Shelby County so all residents have access to influenza vaccine. Drive-up clinics will be offered at Myrtue’s Community Health Building, 2712 12th St, Harlan and other surrounding community centers. Drive-up means that you will come to Myrtue’s Public Health building (or other designated locations) and staff will deliver the vaccine while you are waiting in your car. It will be simple and fast. Myrtue’s Public Health staff will be wearing masks and all patients receiving a vaccine are encouraged to wear a mask.

What are some key reasons to get a flu vaccine?

• Every year, flu vaccination prevents illnesses, medical visits, and hospitalizations.
• Flu vaccination is an important preventative tool for people with chronic health conditions.
• Vaccinating pregnant women helps protect them from flu illness and hospitalization, and also helps protect the baby from flu infection for several months after birth.
• Research shows that flu vaccine can be life-saving in children.
• While some people who get vaccinated still get sick, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce the severity of illness.

“We will hold flu vaccine clinics at a variety of times and dates throughout the next several months so everyone has a chance to be immunized, said Lori Hoch, Myrtue Medical Center’s Public Health Director. “While protecting yourself by immunizing, you also protect your loved ones and those who are vulnerable to influenza in the community.”

Myrtue Public Health is instructing any patient with COVID-like symptoms or exposure to the virus to wait before getting their vaccine.

To schedule your flu vaccine or for questions, please call Shelby County Public Health at 712.755.4422 or go online at www.shelbycountyclinics.com. Appointments are required at the Community Health Clinics and Ayzlee’s drive-up clinic in Elk Horn.