DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Dallas County Health and Human Services is offering the flu vaccine for free for all uninsured and low-income Dallas County residents.
We would like to see an increase in early vaccination rates, said Zachary Thompson, DCHHS director. Getting the annual flu shot is really important, especially as you get older and your immune system doesn’t work as well.
Health officials say people in high-risk groups such as pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions are advised to get flu shots in the beginning of flu season within the month of October to help stay healthy.
High-risk individuals and people in close contact with immune suppressed persons should receive the vaccine early to help prevent their own illness and prevent the spread of flu to others, said Dr. Christopher Perkins, Dallas County health authority/medical director. For those who are not considered high-risk, a routine yearly influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older.
The flu vaccine DCHHS provides is an all-in-one vaccine that protects against multiple flu strains including the H1N1 virus.
Getting an annual flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from the flu virus, said Tammara Scroggins, DCHHS Assistant Director Public Health Communicable Disease. “Vaccination can also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies, young children, the elderly, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
The adult vaccine is given in the adult immunization clinic on the first floor of the DCHHS building in Dallas. The childrens vaccine is available at all DCHHS immunization clinics.
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