With 76 deaths last year in Arkansas alone, our state saw the worst flu season in over 30 years. That is why the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is working diligently to ensure all Arkansans have access to a flu shot this year. Since September of this year, over 440 cases of the flu have been reported. But it is not too late to protect you and your family. Flu shots will be offered to the public on Thursday, December 4 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds from 10am to 5pm. If you have insurance, the ADH will ask your insurance to pay for the cost of giving the vaccine. If you do not have insurance or your insurance company does not pay, the vaccine will be available at no charge to you. The Department of Health is also working statewide to ensure our students are protected from the virus. The department began visiting schools last week and will continue to travel across the state through December offering the vaccine. Experts say it is important to get a flu vaccine every year, because the flu virus changes from year to year. This year’s vaccine protects against the flu viruses that are expected to cause the most illness this season. People of all ages can get the flu; but certain people are more likely to have serious health complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women, people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who live in nursing homes. The Department of Health states that flu vaccine is safe and does not cause the flu. Some people may have mild soreness and redness near the site of the shot and a low fever or slight headache. For those who do not like shots, the flu mist is another option. The flu mist is recommended for anyone between the ages of two through 49 who does not have asthma or other problems that might weaken their immune systems. There are very few medical reasons to skip the flu vaccine. They include life-threatening allergic reactions to a previous dose of the flu vaccine or to eggs, or a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. People with a non-life-threatening egg allergy may be vaccinated but need to see a doctor specializing in allergies. For more information on influenza and vaccines visit the Department of Health website at healthy.arkansas.gov.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 23:40:02 +0000
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