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The
Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) will offer flu vaccine statewide
beginning Monday, Oct. 1 at all county health department locations. Flu shots
will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to recipients. Those with insurance
are asked to provide their card showing coverage.
Flu
vaccination is recommended each year for everyone 6 months of age and older.
When more people are vaccinated against the flu, there is less opportunity for
flu to spread in families, schools and communities. The flu vaccine is
formulated each year to keep up with flu viruses as they change. Also a
yearly flu shot is needed because a person’s immune protection from being
vaccinated decreases after a year, and yearly vaccination provides the best
protection against the flu through the entire flu season.
OSDH
Interim Commissioner Tom Bates will help kickoff the effort by getting his
immunization at the Rogers County Health Department in Claremore next Wednesday
morning, October 3.
“We are encouraging everyone to get their flu
vaccination and we hope this effort to provide the shots at no out-of-pocket
cost to recipients will make it more accessible,” said Bates. “The last season
was especially devastating and we want to ensure that as many people as
possible can receive the added protection that the flu vaccine provides.”
Last
flu season there were 291 deaths and 4,819 hospitalizations between September
2017 and May 2018.
In
addition to getting a flu shot, public health officials recommend the following
prevention tips:
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle by
eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and getting a full night’s
rest.
- Wash hands frequently using
soap and water, or alcohol-based products such as hand gels when hands are
not visibly soiled.
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Use tissues to cover coughs and
sneezes, then dispose of them and wash your hands immediately. When
tissues are not readily available, cough into your sleeve, not your hands.
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Stay home from work, school and
other public places when feeling ill.
Oklahoma
County and Tulsa County residents should check with their city-county health
departments to find out when flu clinics will be available.
For more information, call a local county health department
or visit the OSDH website at www.health.ok.gov to get locations for
your local county health department.
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