The Mississippi State Department of Health issued this press release:
Pediatric Seasonal Flu Vaccine Now Available At All County Health Departments
JACKSON, Miss. –
Pediatric flu shots are now available at all Mississippi State
Department of Health (MSDH) county clinics. Seasonal flu vaccination is
recommended
for anyone age six months and older.
“The flu shot is
absolutely your best protection against the flu,” said MSDH State
Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. “The vaccine takes one to two weeks to
produce immunity, and although flu season usually peaks
in January through March, it sometimes reaches high levels as early as
December. Getting your flu shot now makes sure that you’re protected in
time.”
Starting this year, adult flu vaccine will no longer be offered at county health department clinics
except for those who are underinsured or uninsured and who meet certain high-risk criteria.
“Flu shots for
insured adults are now widely available through private physicians and
pharmacies, and the number of doses we were administering in our clinics
has declined. However, we do encourage all Mississippians
six months and older to get vaccinated. Those particularly at risk for
influenza complications include young children, adults 65 and older,
pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses,” said Dr. Byers.
“It’s also important
to remember that children under six months of age are too young to
receive a flu shot. Caretakers of these infants need to be vaccinated to
help prevent the spread of flu to this especially
vulnerable age group,” he said.
Nationwide, there are up to 200,000 hospitalizations and anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 deaths each year because of the flu.
Those 18 and under
who are eligible for the Vaccines for Children program or the Children’s
Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can receive flu vaccination for $10.
Insurance, Medicaid and CHIP is accepted for
children’s flu shots.
While vaccination is
the best protection, basic infection control measures can also reduce
the spread of flu and should be taken whether or not individuals are
vaccinated. These measures include covering your
mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying at home when you or your
children are sick, and washing your hands frequently.
To locate a county health department clinic in your area or for more information on flu and pneumonia, visit the MSDH website at
www.HealthyMS.com/flu.
8 comments:
Why aren't they doing adult shots for the elderly and disabled?
'Scuse me for not trusting the Government Health Department. The State Health Department reminds me too much of the State Medicaid Commission/Division. I guess there's a place for it, but as an absolute last resort!
6:27....Elderly and disabled are not necessarily the round pegs that fit into the square holes of state programs and services. Those groups don't automatically fit the required demographic.
If your mother is 89, living alone on Social Security and her husband's $170 a month pension, she's not quite 'eligible'.
Wait a damn minute. Who are these underinsured and uninsured? I thought Obamacare took care of all of the people.
the Board of Health is more focused on protecting their own turf (hospitals, nursing homes, and other health facilities). not sure why someone has not looked more into this.
If you are elderly and on Medicare your flu shot is covered in full. They are available at the doctors office and most pharmacies. (That's a drug store 6:50)
In many rural counties the Health Department is the only provider. Others are 20 to 30 miles away. In past years they did offer flu shots for adult elderly and disabled. That served a twofold purpose - it allowed people to get the flu shots locally and secondly it provided a source of revenue for the Health Department which allowed them to bill Medicare, Medicaid, etc. for the shot which helped subsidize their operations. Because Medicaid was not expanded in Mississippi (like most other Republican states did) there are hundreds of households who do not qualify for Medicaid or for Obamacare, the Health Department is supposed to provide some healthcare to them by state statute.
6:36 - "Most other Republican states did"? Check your math. OK. I realize that's beyond you, and further that your liberal ass doesn't care about facts.
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