Flu Clinic Schedule

The City of Columbia is committed to providing public health services that prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, promote healthy behaviors, prevent injuries and illness, assure the quality and accessibility of health services, monitor the health of the population, provide social services and promote and protect civil rights.

A Quick Word About this Year's Flu Season

We can protect our families and our community this flu season. For more information, please visit www.FightTheFluMO.com It will take all of us working together to "Fight the Flu."

Questions? Email us at flu@GoColumbiaMO.com

2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine Availability in Boone County

UPDATED 3-30-2010

FREE H1N1 VACCINE IS NOW AVAILABLE TO ALL RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF AGE OR PREVIOUS RISK STATUS.
Monday - Friday	8 am - 4:30 pm
No appointment is necessary	Vaccine is FREE
We have an ample supply of injectable vaccine. Preservative-free injectable vaccine will be offered while supplies last. We do not have the nasal spray vaccine. Consent forms can be printed by clicking here. You can read the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) ahead of time by clicking here. For directions to our clinic, click here.
- Important Documents You Will Need -
Consent form	Click here
VIS (flu shot)	Click here
- PARENTS - PARENTS - PARENTS - PARENTS - PARENTS - PARENTS - PARENTS - If your child is less than 10 years old, he or she will need a second dose of H1N1 vaccine to be fully-protected. Second doses should be given at least 28 days after the first dose and are available at the health department, Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm. No appointment is necessary. A second consent form is needed and can be printed by clicking here. You can read the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) ahead of time by clicking here. For directions to our clinic, click here. We have completed our school-based clinics. If your child still needs his or her first or second H1N1 vaccination, please visit the health department, Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm. No appointment is necessary. A consent form can be printed by clicking here. You can read the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) ahead of time by clicking here. For directions to our clinic, click here.
Still have questions? Email us at flu@GoColumbiaMO.com

ESPANOL: Haga clic aquí para los formularios de consentimiento de Spanish.

inyección contra la infl uenza VIS

rocío intranasal VIS

Want to know more about the H1N1 vaccine? Find out how it's made, why there was a delay and where you can find vaccine by watching this 2-minute CDC video.

Questions? Email us at flu@GoColumbiaMO.com

Seasonal Flu Vaccine Availability in Boone County

UPDATED 12-16-09

We are out of seasonal flu vaccine and do not expect to receive any more. Click here for a statewide flu clinic calendar.

2009 H1N1 Flu

We are working with Local Public Health Agencies from across the state to provide all Missourians with accurate and up-to-date H1N1 flu information through a grassroots campaign called Fight the Flu. Click here to learn how to protect yourself, protect your family and protect your community.

Questions? Email us at flu@GoColumbiaMO.com

Seasonal Flu

According to the Centers for Disease Control, every year in the United States, on average:

5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; and
about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious flu complications. The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services strongly encourages residents to protect themselves and their family by getting a flu vaccine.

What is the flu?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Symptoms of the 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. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.

How is the flu spread?

Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

When should I get vaccinated?

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services offers seasonal flu clinics in September and will continue to vaccinate throughout the influenza season. Outbreaks can happen as early as October, while influenza activity usually peaks in January or later.

Who should get vaccinated?

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. Certain high-risk people should be vaccinated yearly, including:

Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
Pregnant women
People 50 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

Are there different types of vaccine?

There are two types of vaccines:

The "flu shot" – an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle. The flu shot is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine – a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

How does it help?

Each year the vaccine changes based on surveillance and predictions about which virus strains will circulate. By being vaccinated, your body develops immunity to those strains.

Will it make me sick?

The flu shot cannot give you the flu because the viruses are inactivated. Minor side effects can include muscle aches and a low-grade fever. The viruses in the FluMist vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. Side effects of the nasal spray vaccine could include headache, runny nose, sore throat and cough.

Who should take the vaccine?

Anyone who wants to reduce their risk of the flu should be vaccinated. Individuals at high risk include adults 50 years or older, children 6 months- 5 years old, pregnant women, and those with chronic disease. All women who are pregnant or breastfeeding during influenza season receive the flu shot.

How much does it cost?

There is a small fee for the influenza vaccine. Unfortunately, we cannot bill private insurances however we will bill Medicaid and Medicare. If you qualify, please bring your card with you. Cash or check will be accepted for payment.

What else can I do to help prevent the flu?

In addition to being vaccinated, there are other practices that can help reduce the chance of getting the flu. This includes avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home from school or work when you are sick, covering your mouth and nose when you are coughing or sneezing and washing your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Questions? Email us at flu@GoColumbiaMO.com