Oconto County health department offers options for flu shots

Monthly clinics and a one-time walk-in event Oct. 14 offered
By: 
NEW Media Staff

Flu vaccine will be available from Oconto County Public Health in early October at monthly immunization clinics and one walk-in clinic.

The walk-in flu clinic will be held 9-10 a.m. Oct. 14 in the conference room of the Oconto County Law Enforcement Center, 220 Arbutus St., Oconto. Call the health department at 920-834-7000 to make an appointment for a flu shot at an immunization clinic in Mountain, Oconto or Oconto Falls. The cost is $25, Medicaid or Medicare. Bring your Medicare or Medicaid cards when you receive your flu shot.

Public Health will provide free flu shots and flu mist to students in early childhood to 12th grade at their schools this fall. All school students are eligible for a free flu shot or mist, regardless of insurance or income. The free flu shot or flu mist for students is available only at their schools. Parents who have a child in school will receive a consent form for the free flu shot or mist. Those who did not receive this form, go to www.ocph.info and click on influenza.

If a child is not in school, or is not receiving at school, the flu vaccine is free for children with BadgerCare, no health insurance, insurance that does not cover the flu shot, or who are Native American/Alaska Native. If a child does not meet one of these requirements, the flu vaccine is $25.

The flu vaccine is believed to be the best protection against the flu and is recommended for everyone 6 months and up, according to the health department. It is especially important if you have a baby under 6 months or someone 65 and older in your life, as the flu can be especially dangerous for those age groups.

The flu comes on very suddenly and its symptoms are headache, fever, extreme fatigue and weakness, and severe body aches. To learn more about families affected by flu, go to www.ocph.info, click on influenza, and then “Why Should I Get a Flu Shot?”

For information, call 920-834-7000.