Time for Flu Shots

The Allegheny County Health Department will open its influenza vaccination clinic on Forbes Avenue in Oakland on Monday, October 18th.

For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending flu shots for everyone over six months of age, but the Health Department's Guillermo Cole says there are still high priority groups: children six months through 18, people 50 and over, pregnant women, anyone 19 through 49 with a chronic medical condition, health care workers, residents of nursing homes, and those who live with or care for people in these groups.

People with fevers should wait until their temperature returns to normal, and those with egg allergies should not get a shot, according to Cole.

Children from six months to 18 pay nothing, nor do those with Medicare Part B who are not in an HMO. For others, the charge is $25. Nasal spray is also available free to children and for $10 to those from 19 through 49.

Clinic hours are 9 to 3 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 to 7 on Wednesdays. Cole expects to have enough vaccine to last through November and beyond. He says this is a good time to get a flu shot--before cold weather and before the flu peaks in late January or early February.