Get Healthy Carson City: Flu vaccines available — help build community immunity

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

Each fall, the flu returns and brings with it the fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, muscle aches and fatigue that many of us dread. The symptoms can be mild and last only a few days, or can be severe and hang around for weeks. For those with underlying health conditions, like asthma or diabetes, the flu can make those illnesses worse. By getting your flu vaccine this year, you’re not only protecting yourself, but you’re also protecting others from falling ill to the flu.

Your individual flu shot serves as your contribution to community wellness. It helps protect the elderly and all babies under 6 months old who are too young to be vaccinated, as well as the vulnerable in our community with cancer, respiratory illnesses, and weakened or compromised immune systems. Join Carson City Health in building community immunity!

In additional to the regular walk-in immunization clinic on Thursdays at Carson City Health and Human Services, the Health Department is hosting flu vaccination clinics in multiple outreach locations throughout Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties. Clinic locations include schools, senior centers, large employers and food pantries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to recommend flu vaccination for all people 6 months and older. Overall, vaccination is your best protection against getting the flu. In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine if you have not already gotten vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you’re sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.

Last year, CCHHS provided the community with 85 flu clinics and vaccinated more than 8,000 residents. This year there are already 69 clinics calendared. Please visit the community calendar on the Carson City Health and Human Services website for clinic dates, times and locations nearest you: www.GetHealthyCarsonCity.org/Calendar.

For more information about other health department services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us at www.facebook.com/cchhs.