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CHA Offering Flu Vaccine
By: Mike Stiles - Wednesday, October 2, 2019

(photo courtesy of Getty Images)

(COLDWATER) – Fall is just a little over a week old, but area health officials are already reminding people to get their flu shots.

Rebecca Burns, Health Officer with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency says the early availability of the flu vaccine makes it easy for people to protect themselves and their family.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu vaccine for all individuals six months of age and older. Yvonne Atwood, Director of Personal Health and Disease Prevention says in addition, people who should especially receive the flu vaccine because they may be at higher risk for complications are pregnant women; people at 50 or older; people who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities; health care workers and household caregivers.

Burns says the timing and duration of each flu season varies, but can begin as early as September and last as late as May. Individuals who develop infection from the flu virus can have symptoms that include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and body aches.

The flu vaccine can be given any time during the flu season. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop and offer protection against flu after receiving a vaccine.

To make an appointment to receive your flu vaccine, you can call any of the CHA offices and press “1” for clinic services including flu shots. For the Sturgis and Three Rivers offices, the number is 269-273-2161. In Branch County, you can call 517-278-9561 and in Hillsdale County 517-437-7395.

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