OCCHD will begin offering seasonal flu vaccinations on October 3rd. Standard flu vaccinations will be available for adults and children over the age of 6 months. Nasal spray “Flu Mist” vaccine will also be available for non-pregnant, healthy people ages 2 to 49, and high-dose immunizations will be offered for anyone age 65 or older.

In addition to those options, adults ages 18 through 64 will have another choice this year. For the first time, OCCHD will be offering an intradermal flu vaccine. The intradermal shot is injected into the skin instead of the muscle. The intradermal shot uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot, and it requires less antigen to be as effective as the regular flu shot. Antigen is the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against flu viruses. “This vaccination uses a very fine needle that is 90% smaller than the needles used for regular flu shots,” says OCCHD immunizations program administrator Joyce Lopez. “This may be helpful for people who don’t like needles.”

The 2011-2012 vaccine is formulated to provide protection against the three strains of influenza that are expected to be circulating this year. The formula is the same as last year’s flu vaccine, but Lopez says even if you got a flu shot last year, you still need to be revaccinated for this year’s flu season. “Immunity decreases after eight to ten months, so a dose received last year won’t provide protection this year,” she says.

OCCHD recommends flu vaccinations for everyone over 6 months of age. “Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu and spread it to friends and loved ones,” says OCCHD director Gary Cox. “An annual flu vaccination is the single most effective way of protecting yourself and your family from this serious disease.”

People at high risk of serious complications from flu are especially encouraged to get the flu vaccination. Those at greater risk include pregnant women and anyone with asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung disease, or other chronic health conditions. Parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers, and anyone who lives with or cares for someone at high risk for complications should also get the vaccine.

OCCHD will be providing flu vaccine using the following fee schedule:

• No charge for families whose income is less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
• No out-of-pocket costs for seniors who are on Medicare.
• No charge for children who have no health insurance, or are on SoonerCare or are Native American or Alaskan natives, or children whose insurance does not cover vaccines.
• Children and adults with health insurance that covers vaccines and those with incomes above 185 percent of the poverty level will be charged a fee of $25.00 for flu vaccine to cover the cost of the vaccine and the cost of administering the vaccine.
• OCCHD will accept cash, check and credit cards for payment

“The cost of getting a flu shot is a bargain when compared with the cost of having the flu and missing work or school, or seeking medical care if complications develop,” Cox says. OCCHD is also reminding County residents that influenza vaccine is safe and effective.

OCCHD’s immunization clinic is located at 921 N.E. 23rd Street in Oklahoma City.

Vaccination clinic hours are:

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The clinic is open during the lunch hour and appointments are not required for general immunizations.

For all vaccination clinics, OCCHD asks that you bring immunization records with you. The parent or legal guardian must be present with a child. Any person other than the parent must have legal proof of guardianship or a permission letter from the parent stating that the child can have the necessary shots on the date of the clinic.

For more information, please call (405)425-4450, visit our Seasonal Flu section, or visit our Immunizations section.

Additional flu information can be found at: http://www.ok.gov/health/Disease,Prevention,Preparedness/Acute_Disease_Service/Disease_Information/InfluenzaHomePage.html

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2011-2012.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_intradermal-vaccine.htm