Carson City prepares for widespread increase in flu, vaccines readily available
With widespread flu being reported around the nation, Carson City and Douglas County health officials say they have large supplies of flu vaccine.
Based on recent reports from the CDC, the flu has started to peak nearly 5 weeks early this year, with significant activity reported in over 41 states with 18 deaths reported in children thus far. The predominant current flu strain that is being reported with widespread activity, H3N2 (Influenza A), appears to have good match to the flu strains in this year’s vaccine, according to a news release.
H3N2 appears to be a virulent flu strain, which was also seen in the 2003-2004 season, based on reports from the CDC.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continue to recommend flu vaccination for all people 6 months and older. Overall, vaccination is your best protection against getting the flu. If you have not already had the vaccine, it is still recommended that you get vaccinated. Carson City Health and Human Services and Douglas County Community Health have a large supply of flu vaccine for ages 6 months and above.
Walk-ins for flu vaccination are welcome from 8:30–11:30 a.m. and 1–4:30 p.m. at both locations through January 18. The Clinic locations are 900 E. Long Street in Carson City and 1538 US Highway 395 (Stratton Center) in Gardnerville. Flu rates are affordable. We also offer low-cost options, plus we accept Nevada Check-up and Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Humana, St. Mary’s Health Plans, Access to Healthcare Network, Nevada Preferred Provider, and Universal Health Network. Call 887-2190 or 782-9038 for more information.
If you are over the age of 50, are pregnant, have asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease (such as COPD or emphysema), you should get a flu shot. In addition, people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu, including healthcare workers, and household visitors of persons at high risk for complications from the flu should be vaccinated. Those who should not be vaccinated include those with an allergy to chicken eggs (virus is made in egg media), people with a severe reaction to a previous flu shot, people who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of a flu shot, and children less than 6 months of age.
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