Flu vaccine is available at local health departments within the New River Health District. Flu shots are offered by appointment only in each health department to all individuals who desire to protect themselves from influenza this season. The fee for the flu shot is $30 per dose and is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. 

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract.  It is highly contagious (the virus can be transmitted even before flu-like symptoms appear) and generally spreads from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person usually becomes sick in 1-3 days of exposure.  Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue. 

Unlike the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and can be life-threatening.  Complications from the flu can lead to pneumonia and other serious illnesses, such as infections of the brain and heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza causes an average of 36,000 deaths and more that 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States.  More people die of complications from the flu than from any other vaccine-preventable disease. 

Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its potentially severe complications.  Flu season typically runs from November through April each year; therefore, the best time to receive influenza vaccine is early in the season, ideally in October or November.  Protection develops about two weeks after vaccination and may last up to a year.

Although people of any age can get the flu, annual vaccination is recommended for the following groups:

1. Persons at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
§ Children aged 6–59 months 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.

2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
§ Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
§ Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
§ Health care workers.

3. Anyone who wants to decrease their risk of influenza.

For more information about flu clinics or to schedule an appointment, call: 
   
   Floyd County Health Department   (540) 745-2141
   Giles County Health Department   (540) 921-2891
   Montgomery County Health Department   (540) 381-7100
   Pulaski County Health Department   (540) 994-5030
   Radford City Health Department   (540) 831-5774

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