No cost flu vaccine is available due to generous funding from the Franklin County Commissioners, Franklin County Office on Aging and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation.
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A SEASONAL FLU SHOT AT NO COST TO YOU
If you have no health insurance
OR
If you have health insurance that does not cover the flu shot
AND
your income is less than $20,040 for an individual
or $27,000 for a couple
AND
You are in the high risk category
Look at our calendar of events to find a clinic near you with this no cost vaccine or call our toll free hotline 1-888-202-1319 (local 614-437-2900).
Medicare B, MediGold, Medicaid, Anthem Senior Advantage and other insurance plans may be accepted by most of the health care providers on this web site.
Please check with your clinic provider if you have any questions on insurance coverages.
Costs of flu vaccine this year range in price from $19.75 to $30 so please pay attention when reading through each of the flu clinics for costs. Cash and checks are acceptable at all flu clinics in Central Ohio while credit cards may not be widely accepted.
However the flu shot is available at no cost at some clinics to those with no insurance or limited coverage who meet financial guidelines due to generous funding from the Franklin County Commissioners, Franklin County Office on Aging and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation.
PLEASE CALL OUR FLU HOTLINE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
(614) 437-2900 local
1-888-202-1319 toll-free
What is Influenza (Also Called Flu)?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
Every year in the United States, on average:
5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
about 36,000 people die from flu.
Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Symptoms of flu include:
fever (usually high)
headache
extreme tiredness
dry cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
muscle aches
Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults
Complications of Flu
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.
How Flu Spreads
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Who Should Get Flu Vaccine?
People who should receive flu vaccine include those at risk of complications if they get influenza disease, and adults and children who live, work, or may come in contact with people at high risk. These groups specifically include:
All persons 50 years of age and older
Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
Adults and children with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, (except hypertension) lung disease (including asthma), kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes
Children and adolescents (aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday)
Adults and children with weakened immune systems due to HIV/AIDS or other diseases affecting the immune system, long term treatment with drugs such as steroids or cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
Adults and children who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders or neurological disorders that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or increase risk of aspiration
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions
In addition, to prevent transmission to persons identified above, flu vaccine is also recommended for:
Healthy household contacts (including children) and caregivers of children aged 0-59 months and persons at high risk for severe complications from influenza
Health care workers
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
CDC Says “Take3” Actions to Fight the Flu.
Click HERE to learn more.
The flu shot is the number one way of preventing the flu. However, another way to protect yourself further is by having good hand hygiene.
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If you need a timer, sing “Happy Birthday” or the “ABC Song” twice. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. When washing hands with soap and water:
Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend!
Rinse hands well under running water
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
Apply product to the palm of one hand
Rub hands together
Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
When should you wash your hands?
Before preparing or eating food
After going to the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
Before and after tending to someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands
