Flu vaccinations available Wednesday from health department
Officials at the Chattanooga–Hamilton County Health Department are urging everyone who can receive a flu vaccine to do so in order to protect themselves from influenza.
Third Street: 423-209-8050
Ooltewah Health Center: 423-238-4269
Sequoyah Health Center: 423-842-3031
Birchwood Health Center: 423-961-0446
The vaccine for the 2012–2013 flu season has arrived at the heath department and will be available at the Third Street, Ooltewah, Sequoyah and Birchwood locations beginning Oct. 10.
“The single best way to protect yourself, the people you care about and those around you is to get the flu vaccine,” Nettie Gerstle, communicable disease program manager at the health department, said in a prepared statement. “It is easier and more convenient than ever to be vaccinated. There are many different places where flu vaccine is offered, and there are ample supplies.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu vaccines for everyone age 6 months and older to reduce their risk of getting the illness.
It is important for the public to understand that some people are at a high risk to develop serious complications from the seasonal flu, and the CDC urges those at high risk or who care for someone at high risk to get the vaccine.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming flu season. It takes two to four weeks after the vaccination for the protective antibodies to develop.
Local health departments are open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The vaccine is offered as an injection or as a nasal mist. Healthy, non-pregnant people ages 2 to 49 may choose to receive the nasal spray instead of the shot.
The cost for the vaccine is $32, and pneumonia vaccines will also be available for $77. Flu and
pneumonia vaccines combined are $87. The health department accepts Medicare Part B, Blue Advantage, Railroad Medicare, TennCare, cash or check.
Uninsured individuals may be able to receive flu vaccine at a reduced rate.
