Local residents urged to get early flu shots

Albany local medical professionals are advising Shackelford County residents to get vaccinated before the beginning of the flu season following last Thursday’s announcement by national public health and medical groups that kicked off the 2018-2019 flu vaccine campaign.

“We started giving flu shots on Monday,” said ResourceCare nurse Holly Martin. “We always recommend getting the flu shot by Oct. 15, and I’ve heard that it will be an early flu season this year. I am recommending that folks get vaccinated right away.” 

Jera Fairley at the Shackelford County Health Clinic said that people should get vaccinated now, before flu season begins.

“We have been giving flu shots for a couple of weeks, and most insurance companies will cover the cost,” Fairley said. “You need to get your flu shot now, because it takes two weeks to become effective.”

So far this year, there have not been any reported cases of flu at Albany schools, according to nurse Lisa Russell.

Influenza activity is also currently very low in both Texas and across the rest of the nation.

In a recent press release, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that people be vaccinated anytime from late September until the end of October, and they recommend an annual flu vaccine for everyone age six months and older. 

Children who have never been vaccinated will need a series of two vaccinations, and they should start the vaccination process sooner than others, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.

Local Vaccines

Both ResourceCare and the Shackelford County Health Clinic will accept walk-ins for vaccinations.

“Our preference is to take walk-ins in the mornings,” said Fairley. “But if you can’t come in the mornings, we will try to fit you in during the afternoon when possible. If you are not a regular patient at the clinic, or if your insurance information has changed, please bring your health insurance card and ID with you.” 

Most health insurance plans, including Medicare, will cover an annual flu vaccine.

Those paying in cash for their flu vaccine at ResourceCare will be charged on a sliding scale.

“Our cash pay price is $35 or less,” said Martin. “It is based upon income.”

CDC Notes For 2018-19

The CDC recommends use of any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine, including inactivated influenza vaccines, recombinant influenza vaccines, and live attenuated influenza vaccines during 2018-2019, with no preference expressed for any one vaccine over another. 

And although the nasal spray flu vaccine is again an option for vaccination during the 2018-2019 season, it is not currently offered in Albany at either clinic.

Children less than six months old are too young to get an influenza vaccine, so the best way to protect them is to make sure members of their household and their caregivers are all vaccinated.

People with known egg allergies, those who have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past, and anyone who has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome should make sure to discuss any of those with the nurse before being vaccinated.

Anyone who has had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination, and children younger than six months of age should not be vaccinated.

Those who are moderately or severely ill, with or without fever, should usually wait until they recover before getting a flu vaccine.