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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Health department recommends annual flu shots and practicing ‘three Cs’

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Above / DuPage County Health Department recommends annual flu shots. Many walk-in clinics and local pharmacies, including Oswald’s in Naperville Plaza, offer flu shots with no appointment necessary. Note also Oswald’s annual Health & Wellness Fair is Sat., Oct. 20.

DUPAGE COUNTY—Influenza (flu) season in Illinois typically starts in October and the DuPage County Health Department is recommending that everyone six months and older be vaccinated against influenza. The Health Department suggests that residents check with their physician’s office or local pharmacy for the availability of flu vaccine.

The single most effective way to prevent getting the flu is an annual flu shot. Influenza is a serious illness and can be fatal. Even healthy people get the flu each year, so it’s important for everyone to be vaccinated. Protecting yourself from flu also protects the people around you who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

Flu hit children hard last season with 183 lab-confirmed influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported nationally. Approximately 80 percent of these deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season.

2018-2019 flu season runs now through May

Flu season can last as late as May. Flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths. Flu hit children hard last season with 107 lab-confirmed influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported nationally, a number that is known to be an underestimate of the true number of these deaths.

Follow the three Cs: Clean, Cover & Contain 

In addition to getting a flu shot, the Health Department recommends following the 3 C’s:

  • Clean – frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water.
  • Cover – cover your cough and sneeze.
  • Contain – contain your germs by staying home if you are sick.

Influenza antiviral drugs can be a second line of defense for treatment of some who get sick with flu. Many observational studies have found that in addition to lessening the duration and severity of symptoms, antiviral drugs can prevent flu complications.

Because it is important to start antiviral medication quickly, high-risk patients should contact a healthcare professional at the first signs of influenza symptoms, which include sudden onset of fever, aches, chills and tiredness.

For more information about the flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/flu.

Flu shot info submitted by Don Bolger, Public Information Officer, DuPage County Health Department.


Editor’s Note / Timing is everything! Oswald’s Pharmacy, locally-owned-and-operated since 1875, offers flu shots for ages 18 and up. 

Oswald’s Wil Anderson notes, “The vaccination shots cost $29.95 each if you’re paying cash—but may be covered by your insurance. If you decide to pay cash, you don’t need to bring anything else. If you would like the shot to be covered by your insurance, bring your health insurance plan card.”

Flu shots are covered by most insurance.

Families with youngsters are advised to visit their pediatricians for flu shots and vaccinations.

To check flu-shot availability, call Oswald’s Pharmacy at (630) 355-2500.

Oswald’s Annual Health & Wellness Fair is Sat., Oct. 20

Oswald’s Pharmacy’s annual Health & Wellness Fair! is on the schedule for Sat., Oct. 20. As usual, the pharmacy and the front of the store will have many promotions, information ‘booths’, programs, prizes and more. 

In addition to flu shots, learn about the kids vitamin program, visit the medical equipment showroom to check out free walker tune-ups, and ask about free hosiery measurements and DVT screenings

Find Oswald’s conveniently located in Naperville Plaza, 88 W. Gartner Road, Suite 112, between Trader Joe’s and Casey’s Foods.

For more information, visit www.oswaldspharmacy.com.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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