PEORIA, Ill. – The dreaded flu season has arrived.
The Peoria County Board of Health discussed flu vaccines at their meeting Monday night, and the cost of receiving one.
Public Health Administrator, Monica Hendrickson, said that there are several places in the community to get a flu vaccination.
“The Health Department routinely does it because we want to make sure that we fill in the gaps where people may feel comfortable coming to us. We do see a large population that comes through our door,” Hendrickson said. “The more people who can get it the better.”
The private pay cost for a flu vaccine at the Health Department is $35.
“However, if you have insurance or if you are on one of the manage care organizations, then your insurance will cover it,” Hendrickson said.
The flu is tricky, and different years can have different levels of flu seasons.
“It can change rather rapidly. You can have really light flu seasons or really hard flu seasons. Because we kind of set the flu vaccine based on previous years, it’s always kind of making sure getting ahead of the game,” Hendrickson said.
The Health Department encourages residents to get the flu vaccination to decrease the symptoms.
Hendrickson said you still might get the flu.
“But instead of being out for 10 to 14 days, you might be under the weather for two to three days,” Hendrickson said.
Getting the flu vaccine not only protects the person who gets the vaccination, but the others around them.
“You kind of create that bubble of protection. So, if there are children or people that have autoimmune issues that might not be able to get a flu vaccine,” Hendrickson said. “By protecting or creating that shield around them, you are in essence are keeping them healthy as well.”
