FREE FLU SHOTS!

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Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital are expanding the list of dates and locations for free seasonal flu vaccines to the St. Louis community for people age 6 months or older. The vaccines are made possible through funding by the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation.

In addition to free vaccines the week of October 5 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, vaccines will be offered as part of BJC HealthCare’s “Healthy Mind-Body-Spirit” faith based outreach program.

In 2008, over 30,000 people were vaccinated through these efforts and over 35,000 will be available this year. Latex-free vaccines are available for individuals with latex allergies. The vaccinations will be offered at the following locations at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and throughout the St. Louis community:

All doses will be on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. No pre-registration is required. For more information, call 314-TOP-DOCS (867-3627).

Seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against the H1N1 or Swine Flu Virus. It is highly recommended that people receive the seasonal flu vaccine each year to protect against other strands of flu.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following adults be vaccinated each year:

1.) People at high risk for complications from the flu.

· People 65 years and older;

· People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses;

· Adults with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma;

· Adults who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]);

· Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;

· People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders.)

2.) People 50 to 64 years of age. Because nearly one-third of people 50 to 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at increased risk for serious flu complications, vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 50 – 64 years.

3.) People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group (see above) should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 0 to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the following guidelines for children:

· Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged 6 months to 5 years.

· Influenza vaccination is also of benefit to older children.

· If this is the first year your child is receiving the flu vaccine and he/she is under the age of 9 years, a second follow-up vaccine is required four weeks after the first dose for maximum effectiveness. (Only the first dose will be given at these clinics; you will need to see your primary healthcare provider for the follow-up vaccine).