Influenza or “flu” is a serious contagious disease that kills thousands every year and is the most frequent cause of death from a vaccine preventable disease in the United States.
Last flu season was more severe than in recent years, with 11 pediatric deaths in Minnesota alone. Pregnant women are at four times greater risk of being hospitalized with influenza complications and potential harm to her unborn child.
Last year’s vaccine “drifted” and was only about 18% effective, but CDC expects this year’s changes to the new vaccine will be a “good match” to circulating strains.
Influenza is unpredictable, but Minnesota influenza outbreaks can occur between December through April. Antibodies develop about 2 weeks after getting the vaccine, but drops in the elderly and those with immuno-compromising diseases.
Beginning mid-October, Riverwood Healthcare Center will offer high dose influenza vaccine for persons 65 and older, which provides a better immune response. Nasal vaccine is available for eligible persons, as well as quadrivalent injections.
New this year for persons 18 years and older with severe egg allergies, FluBlok trivalent injections are available by provider order.
Evening walk-in influenza clinics in Aitkin, and flu shot clinics for the public by appointment will be available at all the Riverwood clinics on the dates and times listed here.
Aitkin clinic: Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Garrison clinic: Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Oct. 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
McGregor clinic: Oct. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Oct. 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Nov. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Evening walk-in clinics (no appointments needed) will be held at the Aitkin clinic Wed., Oct. 28, 4 to 7 p.m. and Wed., Nov. 11, 4 to 7 p.m.
To make an appointment, call Riverwood’s toll-free flu line at (888) 303-4550.
Another option for flu shots is the flu clinics offered by Aitkin County Public Health, which will open Oct. 8 and be held at locations around Aitkin County through Oct. 29. No appointments are needed. For times and locations, see the schedule posted in the newspaper or at the county’s website at www.co.aitkin.mn.us
The CDC and Minnesota Health Department recommends anyone 6 months and older to routinely receive the influenza vaccine. Special high risk groups strongly recommended to be vaccinated include all pregnant women during any trimester, anyone over age 50, close contacts of and persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza, healthcare workers, and children 6 months to age 4.
“While the flu vaccine does not always protect us from getting influenza, research shows that receiving a flu vaccine each year can reduce the risk of hospitalizations, pneumonia, and death,” says Michelle Farber, Riverwood infection preventionist. “At Riverwood, we are committed to keeping our hospital and clinic patients safe and we urge community members to get flu shots, cover their coughs or sneezes, perform hand hygiene, and refrain from visiting our campus when you are ill.”
See the CDC’s “Take 3 Actions to Fight the Flu” for further information to protect yourself and others from influenza at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm
