Flu Information and Prevention

Flu Vaccine Stations

Flu vaccine stations are now closed. Please contact your primary care doctor to schedule your flu vaccination. For questions regarding insurance and cost please see our frequently asked questions.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Questions

• How much does a seasonal flu vaccine cost?
  The cost of flu vaccine in 2011 ranges between $31 and $71 and is dependent on the type of vaccine given. Types of flu vaccine include injectable vaccine, preservative free injectable vaccine and nasal spray flu vaccine. Contact your physician's office for details.
• Does Via Christi Clinic file health insurance and Medicare for these vaccines?
  Yes. Medicaid patients must be an established patient of a Via Christi Clinic primary care physician.
• Why should I get a flu vaccination?
  It’s the best way to protect yourself from the flu. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) approximately 36,000 people die from flu-related causes in the U.S. each year.
• How effective is a flu vaccination?
  The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu. The vaccine helps prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death from flu-related causes.
• When is the best time to get a flu vaccination?
  The CDC recommends vaccination throughout the flu season, although getting the flu vaccine soon after it becomes available each year is always a good idea.
• How soon does the vaccine provide protection, and how long does it last?
  The majority of adults have protection against the flu virus within 2 weeks of vaccination, and the protection you get from the vaccination will last throughout the flu season.
• Who should get a flu vaccination?
  On February 24, 2010 vaccine experts voted that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for "universal" flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people 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.
• Who is at higher risk for developing flu-related complications?
  
  • Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
  • Pregnant women
  • People 65 years of age and older
  • People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.  Ask your physician if you are unsure if you fall into this group but this can include people who have:
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Chronic Bronchitis
  • HIV
• Who else should get vaccinated?
  

  Other people for whom vaccination is especially important are:

  • People who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
  • People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the 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).
• What is the nasal spray flu vaccine?
  This vaccine is sprayed into a person’s nose instead of being given as a shot. It is a viable alternative for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 who are not pregnant.
  
• Where can I find more information about flu vaccinations?
  There are several websites that provide good information about the flu and benefits of the flu vaccine. They include:
  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
  • Google Flu Trend
  • US News and World Report article Flu Shots Lower Risk of Blood Clots

NOTE: You may also want to check with your physician about other vaccines that can be given in conjunction with the flu shot for pneumonia and shingles.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Updated 08/29/11

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