Flu Vaccination

The single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated each year. Along with getting your flu vaccine, here are some tips to protect yourself from the flu virus.

1. Avoid close contact
   Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. For flu, the CDC recommends that people stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Fever should be gone without the need to use a fever-reducing medicine.
2. Stay home when you are sick
   If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
3. Cover your mouth and nose
   Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Masks also can help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. People who are sick might be asked to wear a mask to protect others, but a mask can protect the wearer too. 
4. Clean your hands
   Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Tips on hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
   Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits
   Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Who should be vaccinated?

Everyone 6 months of age or older, especially:

• All persons who are at high risk for complications from the flu:
  • Young children
  • Pregnant women
  • People with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease
• All healthcare workers and people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, or who care for children under 6 months of age, who cannot be vaccinated.

How can you get vaccinated?

SLSHS offers several options for receiving your influenza vaccination:

• Schedule an appointment with the Pharmacy via My BuckMD and select "Vaccine Pharmacy Appointment" under appointment type
• Ask your medical provider during any scheduled appointment

All patients must schedule an appointment to receive the influenza vaccination.