Flu-shot clinic in Harrisonburg
The Central Shenandoah Health District will offer free seasonal flu vaccine to everyone ages three and up, at a clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at Harrisonburg High School. The clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium, at 1001 Garbers Church Road in Harrisonburg. Vaccine is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
“This clinic gives us the opportunity to practice our emergency dispensing plans, in the event of a situation requiring us to give medicine or vaccine to many people in a short period of time,” said Michael Keatts, emergency planner for the Central Shenandoah Health District.
Flu vaccine is effective. “Take time to get a flu shot,” said Douglas Larsen, M.D., director of the Central Shenandoah Health District. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.”
Flu vaccine is safe. “A flu shot does not cause flu illness. The viruses in a flu shot are killed. They’re dead, so they cannot cause a flu infection,” said Dr. Larsen. “The nasal mist vaccine contains a live, but weakened, virus. Both vaccines stimulate the immune system to protect you against the flu, but do not cause flu illness.”
For more information, call the Harrisonburg Health Department at 540.574.5100, or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
Flu shots available through RMH
The 2010-2011 seasonal influenza shot is available now at RMH physician practices and health centers.
This year’s flu shot provides protection against H1N1 and two other common flu viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“Influenza viruses are always changing, so annual vaccination is recommended,” said Stephen Phillips, MD, medical director, RMH Occupational Health. “The CDC recommends all those ages six months and older receive a flu shot this year. It’s important to get the vaccine as soon as possible to provide protection if the flu season comes early.”
The flu can occur at any time, but most influenza occurs from November through May. Each year scientists try to match the viruses in the vaccine to those most likely to cause flu that year, Dr. Phillips noted.
RMH flu clinics open to the public are as follows (walk-ins welcome, unless otherwise noted):
RMH East Rockingham Health Center
Tuesday and Thursday, 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
Saturday, 9-11 a.m.
RMH South Main Health Center
For established patients only. (Call 433-2554 for an appointment.)
Oct. 12-13 and 20-22
RMH Occupational Health Center
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
RMH Mt. Jackson Health Center
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday, 8 a.m.-noon
RMH New Market Health Center
Oct. 14, 8 a.m.-noon
Oct. 19, 1-5 p.m.
Oct. 22, 8 a.m.-noon
James D. Evans, MD
For established patients only.
Oct. 14, 22, 28
Charges are billable to insurance. Patients should bring their insurance card with them. Self-pay for the seasonal flu shot is $24.
For more information on the flu vaccine, call the CDC at 800.232.4636 or visit www.cdc.gov/flu.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
RMH: Free flu shots for donations to Food Bank
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
Beginning Saturday, Jan. 23, RMH will offer free H1N1 influenza immunizations to those who bring a non-perishable food donation for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
The free shots will be available to those age six months and up at the RMH flu clinic, located at 51B Burgess Road (behind Shoney’s) — in Harrisonburg.
The clinic will be open only for walk-in immunizations—not for care of flu symptoms–on the following schedule:
- Saturday, Jan. 23–10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Tuesdays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23—8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Thursdays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25—10 a.m.-4 p.m. Read more
