Due to the shortage of vaccine this year, immunizations are afforded to the Daviess County residents only on a first-come first-served basis.
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The Daviess County Health Department will begin flu immunizations at the Health Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 27 at the high school gymnasium in Gallatin.
Due to the shortage of vaccine this year, immunizations are afforded to the Daviess County residents only on a first-come first-served basis. If there is vaccine still available after the health fair, immunizations will be given on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1-4 p.m. in the health office until the vaccine supply is depleted.
Influenza is a serious disease caused by a virus that spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. People of any age can get influenza, most are ill with influenza for only a few days, but some get much sicker and may need to be hospitalized.
The viruses that cause influenza change often. Because of this, influenza vaccine is updated each year by replacing at least one of the vaccine viruses with a newer one. This is done to make sure that influenza vaccine is as up-to-date as possible. Protection develops about two weeks after the shot and may last up to a year.
People at risk for getting a serious case of influenza or influenza complications and people in close contact with them should get the vaccine. An annual flu shot is recommended for these groups:
Everyone 50 years of age or older;
Residents of long term care facilities;
Anyone who has a serious long-term health problem with heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, metabolic disease, anemia and other blood disorders;
Anyone whose immune system is weakened because of: HIV/AIDS or other diseases that affect the immune system, long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids, cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs;
Women who will be past the third month of pregnancy during the influenza season;
People who provide essential community services;
Anyone who want to reduce their chance of catching influenza.
The best time to get influenza vaccine is from October to mid-November. A new shot is needed each year. Influenza vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including pneumococcal vaccine.