Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Release Date:  December 2, 2010

End Date:  December 9, 2010

Contact Person:  Mark Valacak, Health Officer

Phone:  (810) 257-3588

RE:  Now is the Time to Get Your Flu Vaccine

December 5 to December 11 is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). The Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) encourages anyone who has not yet received a flu vaccination this season to get one now. Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself and the people you love from the flu and its complications.

The GCHD will be offering a special influenza clinic, by appointment only, for persons age 11 and older.  The clinic will be held at the Burton Health Center on December 9, 2010 from 5 pm to 7 pm.  Priority will be given to clients who are required to be seen according to state and federal guidelines.  To schedule an appointment, please call 237-4546. 

Special health screenings will also be available during the influenza clinic for clients age 60 and older.  For information regarding these screenings, please call 237-4570.

The 2010-2011 influenza season is just beginning and in Genesee County influenza activity is currently low. Infections typically peak in January or later, but influenza is very unpredictable and can be severe as last influenza season proved. Each year 5% to 20% of the United States (US) population contracts influenza causing more than 200,000 hospitalizations and between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths due to complications related to the flu.   

For more information, please visit our website at www.gchd.us.

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