Fall is officially here with shorter days, cooler temperatures and falling leaves. Unfortunately, it also signals the rapidly approaching arrival of the flu season.

Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season.

CDC estimates that flu-related hospitalizations since 2010 ranged from 140,000 to 710,000, while flu-related deaths are estimated to have ranged from 12,000 to 56,000. During flu season, flu viruses circulate at higher levels in the U.S. population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. CBHA has the Quadrivalent vaccine available at all clinic locations. This vaccine will protect against four flu viruses: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, an influenza B virus, and an additional B virus. We have preservative free available for 3 to 19 year olds. We do not currently have the high-dose shot available.

On Saturday, September 30, 2017 we will have two flu shot clinics. We will vaccinating patients at our clinic on 14^th Avenue Medical Center here in Othello, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Our staff will also be at the Mattawa Flea Market that same day from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. You may also come into the clinic to receive your vaccine at any time.

The flu shot is covered by many insurance companies. However, if you are uninsured the shot will only cost $20 in cash. If you have any questions, please call CBHA at 509-488-5256.