It's that time of year again to get your flu shot. Health officials are urging everyone six months and older, to get vaccinated.
The CDC says last year's flu season was one of the longest on record. The year before it was the deadliest in decades.
Only an estimated 45 percent of U.S. adults, and 63 percent of children. Get vaccinated experts say while it isn't perfect... Its worth it.
Locally-- organizations are prepping for flu season as well, next month REMSA plans to give out 100 free flu shots to Washoe County adults that aren't able to leave home.
REMSA officials say they're trying to help individuals get a flu shot that may have not be able to get one otherwise.
"A lot of these individuals that may be home may have medical conditions that may really increase the risk to have some serious consequence from the flu, so we want to make sure that the flu shot is available to them," says Adam Heinz the Director of Clinical Communications at REMSA.
Officials say home-bound residents with medical conditions aren't the only ones who should look into getting the vaccine.
Lynnie Shore the Immunization Program Coordinator with the Washoe County Health District says, "We rank one of the lowest states in the nation for having all of our people vaccinated. It's recommended for anyone six months and older to receive an annual flu vaccination, and especially those who are at high risk for complications."
Officials say they designed a shot to protect us against flu types they believe we will see in the coming months...
"There is two formulations of the vaccine, there's a quadrivalent that protects you from two of the A-strains and two of the B-strings. And there's a trivalent that protects you from two of the A-strings and one of the B-strains," says Shore.
Adults 65 or older will receive the shot that protects against three types of the flu, and everyone else will receive the quad. Once that dose is made for older adults the quad will become the standard flu shot.
"About 36,000 Americans die each year from the flu, and about 100 children on average die each year from the flu," says Shore.
Beginning October 1, 2019, citizens that meet the following criteria are encouraged to call REMSA at 775-353-0807 to make an appointment to receive a free flu shot.
REMSA flu vaccine eligibility:
- Resides within REMSA’s main service area of Reno-Sparks-Washoe County
- Is an adult (18 years or older)
- Has not already received a 2019/2020 flu season vaccine
- Does not have suspected interaction or contraindication with the standard injectable flu vaccine
- Is home-bound (having an illness or injury that restricts the ability to leave the place of residence)
Washoe County Health District Community Flu Clinics
For more clinics click on the link below:
