Rick Scott Governor H. Frank Farmer, Jr.

, MD, PhD, FACP State Surgeon General

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 28, 2011

Contact: Sherry Willis, RN Phone: 850-653-2111

SEASONAL INFLUENZA (FLU) VACCINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FRANKLIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Apalachicola The Franklin County Health Department will offer the adult seasonal flu vaccine on a walk-in basis. The health department accepts Medicare, most insurance and offers the vaccine at the self-pay fee of $25. Vaccination clinics will be held every Thursday and Friday in October and November -at the Franklin County Health Department in Apalachicola located at 139 12th Street. Flu clinic hours are Thursday: 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. and Friday: 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Flu vaccine is available at the Franklin County Health Department in Carrabelle located at 106 E. 5th Street week days from 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. between September 29th and October 11th, 2011. Pediatric flu vaccine is available at both locations on a daily week day basis for children 6 months through 18 years of age. Parents may make appointments or walk in for this service. Pediatric flu vaccine will only be available at the Franklin County Health Department Carrabelle through October 11, 2011. There is no charge for the pediatric flu vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone 6 months of age and older should get a yearly flu vaccine. The most effective precautions we can use to fight flu is getting vaccinated before flu season when the virus starts circulating and by practicing good hygiene habits, said Franklin County Health Department Interim Director Dr. Karen Chapman. The single best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year. The flu is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the flu virus. Compared with most other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, flu infection often causes a more severe illness. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) urges the following preventive steps for the flu. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you are sick with flulike illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Get re-vaccinated EVERY YEAR because flu viruses can change each year! If you have questions about the flu vaccine or would like to locate a flu vaccine, contact your healthcare provider or visit www.doh.state.fl.us/Disease_ctrl/immune/flu/flu_locator.htm. ###
Franklin County Health Department 139-12th Street Apalachicola, Florida 32320 Phone: Apalachicola (850) 653-2111 Fax: (850) 653-9896 Phone: Carrabelle Annex (850) 697-4121 Fax: (850) 697-8288