Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Dept. announces they have limited supply of flu vaccine | Health

FRANKLIN AND WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department announced they have given all of their supply of flu vaccine for those three years old and older at both Marion and Benton office locations.

The health department says they do still have a VERY LIMITED supply of flu vaccine for children ages six to 35 months old.

You can call the health department to check availability. To find locations where the flu vaccine is offered, you can log on to www.idph.state.il.us and enter your zip code in the Flu Vaccine Finder or you can check with your primary care provider or pharmacy. Since local vaccine providers may be running low or out of vaccine, it is recommended to call first.

According to the health department, influenza, also called the flu, is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract and spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Flu symptoms include fever (usually 100 degrees F in adults and often higher in children), dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. After infection, symptoms usually appear within one to four days. The infection is considered contagious for up to five days after symptoms appear and illness usually lingers for a week or two.

The best way to protect you and your loved ones from getting the flu is to get a flu vaccination, the health department says. It is not too late to get a flu shot. The vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. The flu season normally runs through March and sometimes later. By getting vaccinated, you can also help protect infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases who are at greatest risk for complications due to the flu.

For those individuals who will not be able to receive the vaccine this year and for the population as a whole, there are steps that can be taken to reduce transmission of flu:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for approximately 20 seconds.  Teach children the same healthy habit.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, preferably with a tissue or your arm, not your hands.  Promptly discard the tissue.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
• If you are sick with cough or fever, stay home from work or school until you recover.
• Contact your doctor if you are experiencing severe symptoms that you believe require medical attention.
• Do not share things that go into the mouth, such as drinking cups, straws, etc.
• Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces (door knobs, refrigerator handle, phone, water faucets) if someone in your house has a cold or the flu.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

The health department says the pneumonia vaccine is available year round at either health department office during regular office hours by appointment. Recommendations state that the pneumonia vaccine offers lifetime protection.

For individuals whose physician recommends another shot, Bi-County Health requires a doctor’s order. Pneumonia vaccine is recommended for anyone over age 65 or those individuals who have chronic respiratory diseases.

For more information about the flu or pneumonia vaccine or cost, please contact Bi-County Health at 618-439-0951 or 618-993-8111. Information about flu prevention can also be found at www.cdc.gov. Follow Bi-County on Twitter at fwbicohealth and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bicountyhealth. The health department says they use this service to notify the public by e-mail and/or text about office closures, upcoming clinics, and special events.

Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.