Flu Shots


12/28/2004

Wake County Human Services is now scheduling appointments for free flu shots for all high-risk individuals under the new guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to flu shots, a limited supply of FluMist is available for healthy people between the ages of five and 49 at Wake County's Raleigh clinic. Walk-in flu shot clinics will also be held in Fuquay-Varina and Zebulon on specific days throughout January.

Among the individuals who now qualify as high-risk by the CDC are those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, lung, kidney, heart or blood disease, HIV or children taking chronic aspirin therapy along with adults aged 50 and over and health care workers. While there is no charge for the flu shot or FluMist, individuals with Medicare Part B coverage are asked to bring their Medicare cards with them to appointments or walk-in clinics.

At the Human Services Sunnybrook Building, 10 Sunnybrook Road, flu shots and FluMist will be given by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 250-3901, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to the appointments, a special walk-in flu shot clinic will be held Saturday, January 8, at the Sunnybrook Building from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In Fuquay-Varina beginning January 4, walk-in flu shot clinics will be held each Tuesday at the Wake County Southern Regional Center (SRC) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The SRC is located at 130 North Judd Parkway N.E. Beginning January 7 in Zebulon, walk-in flu shot clinics will be held each Friday at the Wake County Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Lane, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We regret that we cannot accommodate all requests for flu shots this year," said Gibbie Harris, Wake County Community Health director. "We appreciate the assistance of the news media and the patience and cooperation that the public has shown in assuring that those at the highest risk get immunized due to the national shortage of vaccine."

Under the new CDC guidelines for giving flu shots, individuals who are at high-risk for complications of the flu are:

  • Adults age 50 years and over;
  • Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of persons in high-risk groups (e.g., persons aged 65 years and over; persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems because of illness or medication; and children under age 2);
  • Children six to 23 months of age;
  • Pregnant women;
  • People with diabetes, asthma, lung, kidney, heart, or blood disease;
  • People taking steroids, chemotherapy or who have a disease that weakens the immune system (including HIV);
  • Children receiving chronic aspirin therapy;
  • Residents of a nursing homes or long-term care facilities;
  • Health care workers who provide direct patient care for the majority of each day.

Click here for more information on the flu or to schedule an appointment, please call Wake County Human Services at 250-3901.

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