LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Laredo, TX – – The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) wants to protect you and your family against seasonal influenza (FLU) and pneumonia; and is recommending that EVERYONE get vaccinated now! Every year over 36,000 persons die of FLU and FLU complications and last year over 17.000 alone died from H1N1 influenza. The best way to protect those most at risk:  children under 6 months, elderly, pregnant women, those that are immunocompromised and those with chronic diseases is to vaccinate them and those around them. This includes family members and care givers. Health care providers are also a group we highly recommend to protect themselves against FLU to reduce the risk of exposure to themselves and their patients.    

Why should you get vaccinated?

 Seasonal FLU vaccine is the most effective measure towards reducing influenza respiratory complications, especially for those at high risk sending many to the emergency room especially during the winter months. Remember that the vaccine takes up to 2 weeks to build full immunity and once we confirm FLU in the community many would have been exposed so again vaccinate now. 

Who should get vaccinated? EVERYONE, but especially:

• Children 6 months and older
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions or are immunocompromised
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:               
  1. Health care workers
  2. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  3. Household contacts and home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated), daycare employees

What are FLU symptoms?  “Flu” is sudden and symptoms include:
 -Sudden fever (100.4° F usually higher)
 -Headache, tiredness (sometimes extreme)
 –Dry cough, Sore throat
 -Extreme Body aches

Prevent spreading the FLU to your loved ones and others by:

Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.

• If you cough, cough into your elbow, sleeve, or into tissues.  Wash your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Do not share personal items that may be contaminated with respiratory droplets.

Where can I get FLU and Pneumonia shots? At your doctor’s office, clinics and at:

City of Laredo Health Department’s Immunization Clinic

2600 Cedar; Monday – Friday

8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm.; Tuesdays from 5-7 pm.

Or in health department WIC clinics (Call for times) 

The cost is $20.00/vaccine for adults

It is free for Medicare Part B Recipients. Please bring your card.

Pneumococcal Vaccine is $4.00 for uninsured or underinsured

All others are $35 free if on Medicare

NOTE:  Those 18 years of age and younger can be covered by the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program can get their vaccine for $4.00, however at this time only the live inactivated (nasal spray) vaccine for healthy children is available. The inactivated injectable vaccine is not scheduled to arrive until October.  

For more information, please contact the City of Laredo Health Department – Immunizations Clinic at (956) 795-4906 or Epidemiology at 795-4951.