Health department sets flu vaccination clinics
CRYSTAL FALLS/KINGSFORD — The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department plans to conduct off-site community influenza (flu) clinics.
Appointments are necessary; no walk-ins will be accepted. Contact the office directly at 906-774-1868 (Dickinson County) or 906-265-9913 (Iron County) to make an appointment.
— Iron County: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Windsor Center (Aspirus Health Fair), Iron River.
–Dickinson County: 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, Norway School library.
For influenza vaccine, the health department will bill Medicare Part B, Michigan Medicaid and most private health insurances. Bring a copy of your insurance card. For self-pay, check or exact change is accepted. Self-pay prices for influenza vaccine are: standard flu, $40; and high dose flu, $85.
There will also be a weekly in-house clinic at the Kingsford and Crystal Falls locations; contact the DIDHD for more information.
Flu is a contagious disease spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions. Infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions — such as heart, lung or kidney disease or a weakened immune system — are at higher risk for complication from the flu virus. Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia and make existing medical conditions worse.
Each year thousands of people die from seasonal flu and even more require hospitalization. A flu vaccine is a great tool to decrease the chance hospitalization due to influenza. The health department’s goal is to increase influenza vaccination, decrease flu related hospitalizations, and spare the local hospital systems from overcrowding or overwhelm. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
It is recommended that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccine. The DIDHD also encourages new parents, health care professionals, and those who have contact with people aged 65 and older to get vaccinated to help protect these high-risk individuals.
This is the first fall and winter virus season where vaccines are available for the three viruses responsible for most hospitalizations — COVID-19, RSV, and flu. Vaccines are a core prevention strategy to lower your risk of respiratory viruses and an important step that you can take to protect yourself and others this year.
Those interested in scheduling an appointment for COVID-19 and/or RSV vaccination should contact their primary care provider or the health department.
COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. Getting a 2024-25 booster is important because protection from the COVID-19 vaccine decreases with time. And COVID-19 vaccines have been updated to give you the best protection from the currently circulating strains.
RSV vaccine is recommended for everyone 75 years and older, but also for those adults 60 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe disease.
RSV protection is also recommended for infants who are especially vulnerable to the disease. This might be by direct vaccination to the infant during key respiratory months or by vaccinating the mother at 32-36 weeks gestation.
Those unable to attend the off-site clinics can call to schedule a flu vaccine during a clinic at the health department. For more information, go online to www.cdc.gov or contact the health department at 906-774-1868 or 906-265-9913.