Flu vaccine clinic to be held at Franklin Medical Center

Franklin Medical Center (FMC) in Hampton will hold its next flu vaccination clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional flu vaccination clinics are also scheduled for Oct. 18 and Oct. 24.

     FMC Nurse Tracy Dirksen reminds the public that getting immunized is the best way to protect against the flu. “We want everyone to be protected against the flu, and the number one thing to do is to get your vaccine,” Dirksen said.

     Clinic staff encourage calling ahead for an appointment so they can have patient records pulled and ready to serve patients as quickly as possible. To schedule an appointment at FMC-Hampton, call (641) 456-5062 or (641) 456-5065.

     Vaccinations will also be available in FMC clinics in Latimer and Dumont. For more information or to call ahead for a flu shot at those locations, please call FMC-Latimer at (641) 579-6340 or FMC Dumont at 641-857-6696.

     Who should get vaccinated?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce his or her chance of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that certain people should get vaccinated each year. Most of these people are recommended for vaccination because they are at high risk of having serious flu complications or they live with or care for people at high risk for serious complications.

     People recommended for seasonal influenza vaccination are:

• Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday.

• Pregnant women.

• People 65 years of age and older.

• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.

• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

• Health care workers.

• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of

children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated).

    While receiving the influenza vaccine is important, there are other ways that you can protect yourself and prevent the spread of germs that cause influenza:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Wash your hands in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds.

• Stay home from work or school when you are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. (Germs are spread when you touch a contaminated object, and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.)

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• When you are sick, keep your distance from other people so you don’t spread germs.

• Get plenty of sleep.

• Do NOT share items that spread saliva, such as drinking glasses, toothbrushes, silverware, etc.

• Clean surfaces, such as door handles, frequently.

Hampton Chronicle

9 Second Street NW
Hampton, IA 50441
Phone: 641-456-2585
Fax: 1-800-340-0805
Email: news@midamericapub.com

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