Four Lakes task force
Chippewa Nature Center
Seasonal Influenza "Flu"
Walk-in Flu vaccines are available every Tuesday @ the Health Department from 10am-4:30pm.
OR
Click here to -->Schedule a Flu &/or COVID Vaccine
According to the Center for Disease Control, Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
Flu Vaccine Information
Our Immunizations Clinic offers the following flu vaccines:
- Regular Flu (ages 6 months & up)
- High Dose Flu (ages 65 years & up)
- Flumist (nasal spray) (ages 2 years through 49 years)
- Flucelvax (egg free) (6 months & up)
- Flublok (egg free) (ages 18 years & up)
Flu Symptoms
Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
We are a Vaccines For Children provider.
Individuals at High Risk of Flu Complications
Some individuals are more likely to get flu complications that can result in hospitalization and sometimes death.
Specific high-risk groups include:
- Adults aged 65 years and older
- Children younger than 5 years of age, specifically those younger than 2 years
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with chronic health conditions including asthma, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, children with neurologic conditions
The CDC has more information about individuals at high-risk for flu complications.
How Flu Spreads
Influenza viruses are spread when a person who has influenza coughs, sneezes, or speaks which releases viruses into the air where other people can inhale the viruses. When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing disease. The viruses may also be spread when a person touches a surface with flu viruses on it and then touches their nose or mouth.
Individuals are able to spread the flu before they are sick, as well as while they are sick. People with flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins. Some adults are able to infect others beginning as soon as 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick.
When to get Vaccinated
Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
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