Plenty of local places to get a flu shot this year
Autumn weather has arrived, and so has flu season. This month, flu shots will be offered at several Huntley-area locations.
Throughout October, District 158 schools will host three public immunization clinics administered by Community Health Works of Belvidere. Flu shots cost $25 each and pneumonia shots are $40. The company does not accept Medicare, but will provided receipts to mail in for insurance reimbursement, says Carol Faurie, chief executive officer. Shots will be provided for those ages 9 and older - for younger children, a doctor's order is required.
Flu shot clinics will be held at Huntley High School, 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14; at Heineman Middle School, 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21; and at Chesak Elementary, 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. No appointments are needed. For health-related questions, call Community Health Works at (815) 765-0444; for other information, call school nurse Dawn Ruffatti at (847) 659-6689.
The McHenry County Health Department (MCPD) will provide flu shots for $35 this month at clinics scheduled in Woodstock, Crystal Lake and Johnsburg. Last year's vaccine failed to prevent some strains of the disease, but this year's formula should work well, said information officer Debra Quakenbush.
"Ten months before flu season begins, they decide on which viruses are going to be added for that year's flu shot, and (vaccine makers) were not counting on the Australian flu," she explained. "I think the manufacturers have done a good job this year, and they're very confident that this will be a much better vaccine that we had last year."
The injected "flu shot" contains an inactive influenza vaccine which prevents the recipient from contracting an active form of the disease. An intranasal version of the vaccine contains a live, but "attenuated," or weakened, form of the virus, and is offered by some agencies for those ages 2-49 who meet required medical criteria. The inhaled vaccine is not recommended for those who are pregnant, have asthma, or suffer from chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, blood disorders, seizures, or a weakened immune system. A brief medical history must be reviewed before the nasal vaccine is administered. People with egg allergies should not take any form of flu vaccine, and people who are ill with a fever should wait until they've recovered.
The MCDH will take flu shot appointments for those ages 9 and older online at mcdh.info or by phone at (815) 334-4510, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Medicare Part B is accepted. The agency also offers a preservative-free vaccine, but does not provide the inhaled serum. For children under age 9, phone (815) 334-4536 for an appointment at their Children's Clinic.
The Kane County Health Department will hold flu shot clinics this month in Elgin, Elburn, St. Charles and Geneva. For details, call the "Bee Wize" immunization line at (866) 233-9493 or (630) 264-7665.
On Oct. 31, the Prairie Lodge Wellness Center will offer free flu shots for Sun City residents only. Registration starts October 13 and they will not have the nasal vaccine, said administrative assistant Carolyn Downs. "We have around 50 shots to give out, so they should sign up as soon as they can," she said. Call (847) 515-2078 for details.
Huntley's local pharmacies offer vaccines and also will hold "clinic days" this month, when nurses are present to administer the shots. Walgreens, at 12000 Princeton, Drive, has a flu clinic scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. Shots are $ 24.99 and inhaled vaccines are $ 29.99. Vaccinations are available every day from the pharmacist on duty, but appointments are encouraged. Call (224) 569-6518.
A flu clinic at the Walgreens on Algonquin at Square Barn Road will be held from 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. Call (224) 569-2582; for other stores, visit walgreens.com/flu.
Osco Drug at 13200 Village Green offers flu shots and inhaled vaccines for $24.99 each. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins will be taken as well. Phone the Huntley store at (847) 961-5625 or call (866) 388-1805 for other locations.
The new Centegra Primary Care Center, which recently opened on the corner of Haligus and Algonquin roads, offers flu vaccinations on a walk-in basis, and that's where I got mine this week. Cost: $25. Pain: barely noticeable. The chance that I won't catch every flu bug I meet: priceless!
They also provide the intranasal vaccine for $35, says Nora Shambo, a registered nurse, once your medical history has been reviewed and approved by one of Centegra's doctors. Medicare and most insurance plans are accepted, as well as cash, check, or charge. The new facility is planning a public Open House from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Oct. 20. Call (847) 669-3880.
Enjoy "Annie" today: Huntley High School's theater group will perform the hit musical "Annie" today through Sunday at the HHS Performing Arts Center on the Harmony Road campus. Based on the "Little Orphan Annie" comic strip, this family-friendly show features colorful song and dance numbers, and fine performances by its cast of freshman and sophomore students. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors; they're available at the door. Show times are 7 p.m. today and Saturday, Oct. 3 and 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. For details, call director Nancy Cross at (847) 659-6744 or e-mail to ncross@ district158.org.