Benton And Linn County Health Organizations Team Up to Provide Flu Vaccinations

Flu vaccine supplies are expected to be adequate for this year’s flu season and no shortages are expected.

Photo: redwoods.co.org

(CORVALLIS) - The Flu Vaccine Coalition, a group of Benton and Linn County public health officials, health care providers and pharmacies, is teaming up again this year to distribute flu vaccinations for residents.

“The Centers for Disease Control expect the flu vaccination supply to reach 100 million doses, which is the highest in history," said Charlie Fautin, deputy administrator of the Benton County Health Department. "We urge everyone over 6 months of age to get vaccinated against the flu every year."

Although most people recover from the flu within several days, some are more susceptible to complications from the flu due to age, health conditions or other factors. The following populations should be among the first to receive flu vaccinations:

-Anyone over age 65, especially those with health problems

-Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age and of the elderly or chronically ill

Although vaccination supply is expected to be sufficient, Benton County public health officials are still being cautious and recommend that healthy people wait until late October or early November to ensure time for the higher risk populations to be vaccinated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, as flu season typically peaks from late November through February.

There is an alternative to the traditional flu vaccination, which is a nasal spray called Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine or FluMist.

FluMist is approved for use only in healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years of age after consultation with a health care provider.

The most effective way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated; however, good health habits can also help ward off the illness. Following are some tips for preventing the flu:

-Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home when you’re sick.

-Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Practicing healthy habits will help you stay healthy all year long and fight off viruses including the flu.

Common flu symptoms include high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy noise, muscle aches and nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The Flu Vaccine Coalition includes Benton County Health Department, Corvallis Family Medicine, Fred Meyer Pharmacies, Linn County Health Department, Oregon State University Student Health, Samaritan Health Services hospitals and medical clinics, The Corvallis Clinic and its Albany and Philomath offices, and other area health care providers. For more information about flu vaccinations, contact one of the following Coalition members:

Benton County Health Department:

www.co.benton.or.us/health/public

(541) 766-6835

Corvallis Clinic:

(541) 753-1283 (Flu Clinic Hotline)

(541) 754-1150 (Corvallis)

(541) 967-8221 (Albany Family and Specialty Medicine)

(541) 929-2922 (Philomath Family Medicine)

Linn County Health Department:

(541) 967-3888 (Albany)

(541) 451-5932 (Lebanon)

(541) 367-3888 (Sweet Home)

OSU Health Services:

(541) 737-9355

Samaritan Health Services:

(541) 768-5919 (Corvallis)

(541) 967-4249 (Albany)