Your Annual Flu Shot Is Important This Year

The flu shot is recommended every year, but it’s especially important in the midst of a pandemic.

While the flu vaccine certainly does not contain COVID-19 vaccine, nor does it prevent you from contracting COVID-19, it does protect you from the perfect storm of respiratory viruses. A combination of both viruses at one time will mean bad news for your respiratory health and overall ability to recover. So far, experts don’t really know whether one virus will compound the effects of the other, but we surely don’t want to find out.

Though everyone is at some risk of contracting the flu, there are some people who are at a higher risk of both contracting the flu, and getting serious, flu-related complications. Children younger than 5 years old, especially younger than age 2; adults aged 65 and older, and anyone who lives with certain medical conditions, including asthma, neurological conditions, heart disease, lung disease, blood, organ or metabolic disorders, and those with a weakened immune system are also at high risk of flu-related complications. This also includes pregnant women.

The annual flu shot may help you to lessen the severity of the flu if you do contract the virus, keeping you out of the ER and recovering quicker than without the vaccine’s protection.

The Richland County Health Department will be holding its annual mass flu shot clinic as a drive-through at the Richland County Fire Hall in Sidney on Sept.24, from 10 a.m-4 p.m. The Drive-Through Clinic will serve adults only, and offers both regular and high-dose flu shots. No other shots will be given during the clinic. No appointment is needed. Flu shots cannot be given to those who have animals in their vehicles. Children may be in the vehicle, but may not receive flu shots. Follow traffic signs to enter the Fire Hall from the North side.

DO NOT attend the clinic if you are not feeling well. DO NOT attend if you are waiting for test results from a COVID-19 test. DO NOT attend if you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

Flu shots, as well as other vaccines, for children and families will be available during regular clinic hours, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. by appointment. Additional clinic hours are the second Wednesday until 6 p.m., and the third Thursday of the month, from 1-4 p.m. by appointment. Check the Department Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RichlandCountyHealthDepartment for changes to regular clinic hours.

For further information or to inquire about group billing, contact the Richland County Health Department at 406-433-2207.