DOH Leon Health Officer Encourages Flu Vaccinations as Flu Season Approaches 

Health Officer Urges Leon County Residents to Get Vaccinated as Flu Season Approaches

 Tallahassee, FL-- The Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH Leon) is urging residents to protect themselves, their families, and those around them by getting vaccinated against influenza as the county enters flu season while continuing to contend with COVID-19 cases. Residents are encouraged to get vaccinated by the end of October, at the latest.

“COVID-19 cases are decreasing in Leon County, but the disease is still here sending our citizens to the hospital with severe illness and still causing deaths.  As flu season begins, we all need to do what we can to be as healthy as possible,” said DOH Leon Health Officer Claudia Blackburn.  “It is critically important to get your flu vaccine and your COVID-19 vaccine.  Flu can be a serious and sometimes deadly disease. Getting vaccinated can prevent you from getting ill and keep you from needing a hospital bed,” said Blackburn.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  recommends flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine. Vaccination against the flu can make illness milder and reduce the risk of more serious outcomes, making it especially important for those at higher risk of complications, such as people over 65, children younger than 5, pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or obesity. Some of those same groups are also at high risk of complications from COVID-19. 

The CDC guidance states that is safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time.

DOH Leon is now offering flu vaccines for children ages 6 months to 18 years of age at no charge through the Vaccines for Children program. DOH-Leon also offers adult flu vaccines for $32.15 and high-dose flu vaccine for $69.15. * Each is payable by either the exact amount in cash or by check made payable to: Department of Health. The Department accepts most private insurance with no additional co-pay. 

Call (850) 404-6403 for questions regarding the flu or COVID-19 vaccines.

People who have the flu often feel some or all these symptoms:

• fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (very tired)
• 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.

Flu infections are most common from late fall to early spring, with activity usually peaking in January or February. The following precautions should be taken to protect against the spread of flu and other viruses like COVID-19:

• Stay home when sick until fever-free for at least 24 hours. Those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should follow CDC guidance for end of isolation.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly.
• Maintain social distancing guidelines.
• Wear a mask.
• Get proper sleep, diet, and exercise.

Flu shots are widely available. They are offered at most doctors’ offices, at major pharmacies and urgent care facilities.  Use this link to find a close to home location near you: https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/prevention/flu-prevention/locate-a-flu-shot.html

More information about flu is available online through https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/index.html and from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/flu.  For information about COVID-19 in Florida visit: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

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Written by:

Pamela Saulsby | Public Information Officer

10.07.2021