The seasonal flu vaccine is now available at Women’s Health and Menopause Center (WHMC) with a scheduled appointment. Doctors and the Center for Disease Control continue to recommend that the best way to avoid the flu is to be vaccinated. People over 50, young children and women pregnant during the flu season are most likely to get the flu.
The cost for the flu shot is often covered by HMOs and Medicare. For our current patients the cost is $50—well worth avoiding future time lost from work and daily activities, a doctor’s visit and medications. It usually takes seven to 10 days to recover, and often many more weeks before returning to your pre-flu peak. Individuals not currently patients of WHMC may also receive the flu shot with a physician visit.
By late October or early November, it is expected that the N1H1 or “Swine” flu vaccine will be available and will be provided to WHMC patients.
Below is a list of those who should have the seasonal flu vaccine:
- persons aged 50 years and older;
- women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
- health-care personnel;
- persons who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurologic/neuromuscular, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus); or persons with immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus);
- caregivers of children under 5 years of age and adults aged 50 years and older, with particular emphasis on vaccinating those in contact with children under 6 months of age; and caregivers or contact with households of persons with medical conditions listed above; and,
- residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Call the WHMC at 248-932-9223 today to schedule your flu vaccination.
