Suffering from a runny nose? Congestion and coughing keeping you up at nights?
Despite being about two months into the flu season, flu shots can still help prevent illness for the remaining time.
The Clarkston Health Center still has plenty of the $15 flu shots available on a walk-in basis in the Emergency Department.
‘It’s still a good idea to get shots now even though the season starts earlier. If you get it now the benefits can still help for the remaining four months,? said CHC Director of Community Relations Marie Bristow who estimated the center has given about 50?75 shots and approximately 300 remain.
R. Steven Hemby, D.O., an emergency room physician, said the flu season is not expected to any worse than average and that the flu in the area has not been bad as of yet. He did however advocate the benefits of the shots, but encouraged people to act soon.
‘As long as (the shots) are given by the end of the month it should be sufficient to work because the peak of the flu season is January and February,? said Hemby who explained the two-fold benefits of the flu shot.
‘It’s important to be vaccinated to prevent getting flu, but also to prevent from being a carrier. Many people may not get ill (with no flu shot), but can be carriers. That’s why, besides for their own health, health care workers are vaccinated; to keep carriers out of the hospitals,? said Hemby.
With a lot of talk about avian flu, this season, Hemby hinted that the medical world had yet to come to a definitive conclusion on the issue.
‘I don’t think it’s clear yet. If (the avian flu) does end up being contagious to people than that would be a major problem. As far as I have read, it’s not a problem yet,? said Hemby.
The $15 fee can be paid in cash, check or charge. Medicare Part B will be accepted. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. The shots are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information regarding the flu shot program or availability of the vaccine, call the Emergency Department at 248-620-4245. Clarkston Health Center is located at 5625 Water Tower Place in Clarkston off of Dixie Highway.