REMINDER: Flu season means time for flu vaccine; drive-thru flu shots being offered today

Published 6:00 am Thursday, October 4, 2018

Flu season is upon us, which means it’s time once again to roll up the sleeves and get the flu vaccine.

“Everyone needs it, not only to protect themselves but if they have children or older people in their lives, to help protect those people,” said Mary Jo Ghadimi, a registered nurse with the Limestone County Health Department.

She said it’s especially important for young children and older people to be vaccinated against the flu because if they end up with the disease, they’re more likely to have complications or be hospitalized.

“It’s better to get it than not get it,” she said.

To that end, the health department is offering an injectable version of the vaccine from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Ghadimi encouraged people to come on Wednesdays and Fridays, as the department will have additional staff that can reduce the time spent waiting to receive a flu shot.

Ghadimi said those with insurance through Medicaid, Medicare or Blue Cross Blue Shield can receive the shot with no out-of-pocket cost. For everyone else, it’s $2.

The shot is approved for individuals 6 months or older and will not cause the flu in those who receive it, Ghadimi said. It is formulated to protect against what scientists believe will be the most prevalent strains of influenza.

“Some years, they hit it right on the head and it’s very effective, and then other years, maybe the vaccine doesn’t protect against the strains that become very prevalent that year,” she said. “It can’t protect against them all, but it’s going to help.”

Those who can’t make it to the health department will have a chance to swing through the flu shot drive-thru instead. This year, it will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Athens Sportsplex.