WACO (September 14, 2009)-Seasonal flu shots are available from the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District beginning Monday

The cost for a seasonal flu shot is $20.00 -$25.00 based on residency; contact the clinic for residency details

The Health District also accepts Medicare Part B.

The clinic is located at 225 W. Waco Drive, and the Immunization Clinic may be reached at 750-5410.

Clinic Hours
Monday         8:30am - 11:30am      1:30pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday        8:30am - 11:30am      1:30pm - 4:30pm  
Wednesday      8:30am - 11:30am      1:30pm - 7:30pm
Thursday       8:30am - 11:30am      1:30pm - 4:30pm
Friday         8:30am - 11:30am
Second Saturday of each month from 10:00am - 12:00 pm

High-risk individuals include:

• Children 6 months through 18 years of age,
  
• Pregnant women
  
• People 50 years of age and older,
  
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and
  
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
  
• 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), and
  
• Healthcare workers.
  

Public Health District officials say it is important that people get both the “Seasonal” and “H1N1” flu vaccines.

More information will be available about the H1N1 vaccine at a later date, health officials say.

How Is It Transmitted?
People cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Most influenza viruses, including the swine flu virus, are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe. No food safety issues have been identified, related to the flu. Preliminary investigations have determined that none of the people infected with the flu had contact with hogs. The virus is spreading by human-to-human transmission.

Swine Flu Symptoms
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include:

Fever
Fatigue
Lack of appetite
Coughing
Runny nose
Sore throat
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

What To Do If You Get Sick
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
(CDC)

Steps You Can Take To Stay Healthy
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze
Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
(CDC)

World Health Organization Human Swine Influenza Site

CDC Human Swine Flu Investigation Site