Health dept. offers option to flu shot

PRINCETON — For people who don’t like getting flu shots, the solution may be just a spray away. Joy Jaraczewski with the Bureau/Putnam County Health Department has announced the availability of a Flu Mist nasal-spray vaccine for the Oct. 23 flu clinic in Princeton.

“We all know the importance of getting protected against the flu, but perhaps you have been hesitant about getting a flu shot for yourself or your children simply because you do not like getting shots,” Jaraczewski said. “Good news is here. Protection from the flu is now available in a nasal spray.”

If there are Flu Mist vaccines left after the Princeton clinic, set for 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at the New Hope Church of the Nazarene, the health department will offer the mist vaccine at the other area flu clinics scheduled by the health department, Jaraczewski said.

The cost for either the flu mist or shot vaccine is $25 for persons 19 years and older, or $10 for children ages 18 and under. Kid Care coverage, Medicare Part B or the OSF Medicare Advantage Card will be accepted.

Jaraczewski said any healthy person, ages 2 through 49, can take the Flu Mist. However, as with all flu vaccines, this vaccine may not protect everyone who gets it, she said.

Also, there are some people who may not use the Flu Mist, Jaraczewski said. Those people include individuals with asthma/or children with recurring wheezing; people with allergy to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine; or people with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations.

Also, the nasal mist is not for people with weakened immune systems, long-term medical conditions, or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.

Other people who cannot have the flu mist are those with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, children under 2 years of age, children 18 or under receiving aspirin therapy, adults 50 years of age or older, and pregnant women.

Whether people choose the flu shot or Flu Mist, the message is still clear, Jaraczewski said.

“By far, the single best way to protect yourself from getting the flu is to get a vaccination each fall,” Jaraczewski said.

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