Flu Season is Underway, Shots Available

Flu Tent at County Annex

Prowers County Public Health & Environment set up their tent for flu shots on the County Annex lawn to highlight the availability of the flu vaccine and the need for residents to protect themselves against the approaching flu season.

It Just Takes a Moment, and You’re Done

Ten minutes is about all it takes to fill out a one page health form and receive the shot. Prowers County Health Director, Tammi Clark, said there is ample vaccine for both children and adults.  Each year, a new vaccine is created to help prevent the evolving virus.  This year, there are four strains for which the vaccine has been created.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that FluMist, the nasal spray influenza vaccine, should not be used, therefore Prowers County Public Health & Environment will not be offering the nasal influenza vaccine.  In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.

The charge for the flu vaccination is $35, which is covered by most commercial insurance. Prowers County Public Health & Environment accepts Medicaid, Medicare, Rocky Mountain Health, Anthem BC/BS, CHP+, Cigna, Colorado Choice, Cover Colorado, United, and UMR. This year Prowers County Public Health & Environment will also be offering Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) and Pneumonia PPSV23 for all adults 65 years and older as recommended by the CDC. A limited number of Flu and Pneumonia vaccinations will also be available through a Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) for adults at no charge.

As of noon, Thursday, October 13^th, about 60 residents, young and old, had received their shots.  “We expect to have at least that number if not more by the end of the day,” explained Crystal Cook.  For those who couldn’t break free for the Thursday vaccination event, the following schedule is for the rest of the month and early November.

Tuesday, October 25th Holly Community Center from 4pm-6pm and Wednesday, October 26th Prowers County Public Health & Environment 9am-12pm 1pm-5pm.

Thursday, November 3rd, County Annex from 9 to Noon and 1pm to 5pm and Wednesday, November 9th at the County Annex from 1pm to 6pm.

By Russ Baldwin