Flu shots
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention the flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. Every year in the United States, on average:
• Five to 20 percent of the population gets the flu
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
• About 36,000 people die from flu.
All people, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others;
• People 50 years of age and older;
• Children ages 6-59 months;
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
• Pregnant women or women who will become pregnant during the influenza season;
• People who live with or care for persons at high risk including household contacts and health care workers.
Symptoms of flu include: fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Help protect yourself from the flu by getting a flu shot.
Provena St. Joseph Hospital
Provena St. Joseph Hospital has arranged the following clinics in the Fox Valley area:
• Nov. 3: 8 a.m. to noon, Provena St. Joseph MedCare, 2250 W. Algonquin Road, Lake in the Hills, (847) 854-5511.
• Nov. 8: 3 to 7 p.m., Provena St. Joseph MedCare, 2250 W. Algonquin Road, Lake in the Hills, (847) 854-5511.
• Nov. 10: 8 a.m. to noon, Provena Family Care, 2201 Randall Road, Carpentersville, (847) 844-7800.
Vaccines cost $25. Payment can be cash, check or Medicare card. For details, call (847) 888-3099 or visit www. provena.org/saintjoseph.
K-Mart
The following local pharmacies are offering flu shots for residents:
Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., K-Mart Pharmacy, 2235 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, (815) 338-9314.
Cost is $28, or free with Medicare Part B.
McHenry County Health Department
• McHenry County Department of Health began taking flu shot appointments Oct. 1 for adults and children age 9 and older.
The flu vaccine is recommended for people at high risk for influenza-related complications and severe disease.
Flu shots cost $30. Medicare Part B is accepted.
Times and location of flu shots include:
Today: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Call MCDH for appointment at (815) 334-4510.
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Algonquin Township office, 3702 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake. Call MCDH for appointment at (815) 334-4510.
Nov. 5: 1 to 5 p.m. McHenry County Department of Health, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Annex A, Woodstock. (815) 334-4510.
Nov. 6: 2 to 6 p.m. McHenry County College 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Call MCDH for appointment at (815) 334-4510.
Cost is $30. Medicare Part B accepted. Flu shots by appointment only, call (815)334-4510 for an appointment.
As a courtesy, MCDH has listed flu shot dates and locations on its Web site at www.mcdh.info.
For children: McHenry County Department of Health has received its flu vaccine for children through the state-funded Vaccines for Children Program.
McHenry County residents should call MCDH at (815) 334-4536 to make an appointment. The cost is $12.
Flu clinics have been scheduled on the following days, by appointment only:
Today, 5 to 6:15 p.m., Algonquin Township office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake
Wednesday, 8 a.m. to noon, MCDH's Annex B building, McHenry County Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock.
The VFC Program is the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention's largest public-private partnership, ensuring that all eligible children receive the benefits of newly recommended vaccines, thereby strengthening immunity levels in their communities.
Other individuals recommended for flu vaccination include household contacts of infants less than six months of age and household contacts with medical conditions that puts them at higher risk.
Eligible children include Public Aid recipients, families without insurance, and underinsured families whose children are medically at-risk as defined above.
Good Shepherd Hospital
Flu season has arrived here in the Chicago area, and Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is offering community flu shot clinics for seniors and high-risk people, age 18 and older, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov, 9, 13, 16 and Dec. 4 in the Good Shepherd Hospital Prairie Room.
The shots are offered at no-cost to seniors with Medicare Part B (no Medicare HMO, PPO, PFFS); all others are charged $30. Call the Advocate Flu Hot Line at (800) 995-4267 to make your appointment.
Good Shepherd Hospital is at 450 W. Route 22, Barrington.