JCCHS Hosting Flu Vaccination Clinics in Multiple Locations

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Oct. 16, 2020) – Did you know you can have flu and COVID-19 at the same time? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is possible to be sick with both viruses, and the CDC encourages everyone to get a flu vaccine to help reduce the risk of catching the flu.

The first step in prevention from the flu is a yearly flu vaccine.  Anyone 6 months or older should get an annual vaccine to help protect themselves. It is not only important to reduce the risk of catching the flu, but can also help conserve potentially scarce health care resources.

Johnson County Community Health Services (JCCHS) is bringing a Flu Vaccination Clinic to different locations throughout Johnson County and encourages community members to get a flu shot.

JCCHS will be in the following locations:

• Holden, Mo. – Wednesday, November 4 from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Holden Community Activity Center located at 100 S. Market Street in Holden.
• Knob Noster, Mo. – Thursday, November 5 from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Jubilation Center located at 110 E. Wimer Street in Knob Noster.
• Warrensburg, Mo. – Friday, November 13 from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Northside Christian Church located at 500 N. Ridgeview Drive in Warrensburg.

Anyone interested is welcome to stop by between the posted hours, no appointment necessary. Flu shots are free to those who qualify. Please bring your insurance card with you, and JCCHS staff will bill your private insurance. Anyone who does not have insurance will still receive a flu vaccine with no out-of-pocket cost.

The CDC states the key reasons for getting a flu vaccine. These include:

• Every year, flu vaccination prevents illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.
• Flu vaccination also is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions. For example flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of some cardiac events among in people with heart disease.
• Vaccinating pregnant women helps protect them from flu illness and hospitalization, and also has been shown to help protect the baby from flu infection for several months after birth, before the baby can be vaccinated.
• A 2017 study showed that flu vaccine can be life-saving in children.
• While some people who get vaccinated still get sick, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness.