The Okeechobee County Health Department has concluded its flu shot clinics for this year, those who have still not taken the shot should contact their physician. Some vaccine remains at the health department and will be available by appointment while it lasts for a $25.00 fee, Medicare is accepted for the flu shot.

Flu season runs from October through March, often peaking in February. Each year, between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population will come down with the flu, leading to 36,000 flu-related deaths and 200,000 flu-related hospitalizations. If more Americans get their flu shots,  those numbers can go down.


High-risk patients are encouraged to get their Flu shots early for the greatest amount of protection. That group includes, but is not limited to:
 

• 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.)
   

For More Information Please Contact the Okeechobee County Health Department at; 863-462-5819.