DOH Leon Encourages Residents to get their Seasonal Flu Vaccinations 

October 6, 2022

Florida Department of Health in Leon County Encourages Residents to get their Seasonal Flu Vaccinations

Tallahassee, Fla.-- The Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH Leon) is encouraging residents to protect themselves, their loved ones, and those around them by getting vaccinated against influenza. Individuals are advised to get their flu shots as soon as possible and definitely by the end of October for the 2022-23 flu season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that from October 1, 2021, through June 11, 2022, there have been nine million to 13 million flu illnesses, and 5,000 to 14,000 flu deaths. For Florida flu statistics, please visit the Department’s Florida Flu Review website.

“As we enter flu season, remember flu vaccines are available at various locations in Leon County,” said Brandi Knight, MPH, DOH Leon Health Officer. “As always, we encourage everyone to practice our tried-and-true flu prevention strategies:  wash your hands often, stay home if you’re sick, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze.”

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. Individuals who are most at-risk for getting severely ill from the flu are young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, and people aged 65 years and older.

It takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu. The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine every year because flu viruses evolve quickly, and last year’s vaccine may not protect against the current year’s strain. Even if the vaccine does not fully protect against the flu, it may reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of complications.

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 $73.15.  Vaccines are available by appointment only. The health department accepts most private insurance with no additional co-pay. However, those with insurance are encouraged to get their vaccinations through their primary care provider, urgent care centers, community health centers, or a local pharmacy.

Call (850) 404-6388 to schedule an appointment.

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

• fever*- It’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will have a fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• chills
• fatigue (very tired)
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

Most people recover from the flu on their own, but If you belong to a high-risk group and have flu-like symptoms or are in close contact with someone who has the flu, a health care provider may recommend that you take antiviral medicine as a precaution.

More information about the flu is available online through the Florida Department of Health’s website, and from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/flu. 

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About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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