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SEASONAL INFLUENZA
La Crosse County Health Department Seasonal Flu Vaccine information:
The La Crosse County Public Health Nursing Division offers seasonal Influenza vaccination at the La Crosse County Public Health Department:
Appointments are necessary when coming to the Health Department - Nursing Division. Please call 608-785-9723 to schedule an appointment.
The La Crosse County Health Department Nursing Division is located on the 2nd floor of the Health and Human Services Building, 300 4th Street North, La Crosse, WI, 54601.
What is the cost of a seasonal flu shot?
Cost is $25.00 for persons 19 years and older
FREE for children 6 months through 18 years of age
What types of healthcare coverage will La Crosse County Health Department bill?
- Programs that are eligible to have services provided by La Crosse County Health Department Flu Clinics are as follows: Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage (Medicare Alternative Insurance), Railroad Medicare, Medicaid, Medical Assistance, Badger Care, Gundersen-Lutheran Health Plan, Gundersen-Lutheran Senior Preferred Plan, Wisconsin Education Association (WEA) Insurance.
- Programs that are NOT eligible to have services provided by La Crosse County Health Department Flu Clinics are as follows: Medicare Part A, Franciscan-Skemp Health Traditions HMO, and Private Insurance of local area businesses other than Gundersen-Lutheran or WEA Insurance.
- Exception: Any patient that falls under the category of “NOT Eligible” may still receive a flu shot if they are willing to pay cash and seek reimbursement from their insurance provider.
What is Seasonal 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 seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal 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-related complications; and
- about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at increased risk for serious complications from seasonal flu illness.
Symptoms of Flu
Symptoms of seasonal flu include:
- fever (often 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. Some people who have been infected with the new H1N1 flu virus have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Complications of Seasonal Flu
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Dehydration
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes
Four basic things you can do to prevent infection with influenza.
- Get vaccinated every year.
- Stay home if you're sick!
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Wash your hands often.
Protect yourself and others...Get vaccinated!
- Influenza vaccine is safe.
- You cannot get influenza from the vaccine.
- For most people, influenza vaccination prevents the disease completely. Those who do come down with influenza, have a milder case of it.
Who Should Get Vaccinated Against Seasonal Flu?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for high risk persons. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.
People who should get a seasonal flu vaccination each year include:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Who Should Not Be Vaccinated Against Seasonal Flu
Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
- People who developed Guillian-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
- Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.
Information on the Seasonal Flu Vaccine
There are two types of seasonal flu vaccines:
- The "flu shot" – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The seasonal flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
- The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine"). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.
* "Healthy" indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.
A seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you against the new 2009 H1N1 flu.
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