Flu Vaccination Options | Who Should Get Vaccinated | Cost | Hours | Is it a Cold or the Flu?

Vaccination Options

For the 2012-2013 flu season, we only have the shot form of the vaccine available (no mist).

   

Seasonal Flu Shot ($27) - Vaccine Information Statement

• Contains killed flu virus
• Is given by injection into the muscle
• Is the most common form of flu vaccine
• Is cheaper than the intranasal spray
• Is recommended for most groups
• May contain the preservative thimerosal

It takes up to 2 weeks for protection against the flu to develop after you receive the vaccination.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. It’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:

• Pregnant women
• Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated
    

Cost

Seasonal flu shot $27

Pneumonia shot $70

Anyone can receive a seasonal flu vaccination at the public health department, however, the public health department is unable to bill Medicare or health insurance programs other than Medicaid.

If you have Medicare, we recommend either getting a seasonal flu shot at your doctor's office, at a pharmacy, or through Mercy Visiting Nurse Services (VNS). For information about Mercy VNS flu shot clinics, call their flu hotline at (231) 672-3272.

Hours

Monday through Friday

Noon until 4:30 pm

Please call (231) 724-1220 to confirm vaccine availability.

Is it a Cold or the Flu?

The common cold and the flu are both illness of the nose, throat and lungs. However, different viruses cause them. Because they share some of the same symptoms, it can be hard to tell the difference between them.

Generally, the flu is worse than a cold. With the flu, symptoms like fever, body aches, exhaustion, and dry cough are more severe. A cold is usually milder than the flu and often causes a stuffy or runny nose. Colds tend not to cause as serious of health problems as the flu. There is a laboratory test to confirm if a person has the flu.

Additional Information

Preventing Seasonal Flu (CDC)

What To Do If You Get Sick With The Flu (CDC)