OTTAWA - The LaSalle County Health Department is urging everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza (flu). The LaSalle County Health Department has received its first shipment of flu vaccine and will begin hosting flu clinics.

Clinics will be held as follows:

• Tuesday, Oct. 19 - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Mendota Area Senior Services in Mendota (inside the Mendota Civic Center - flu shots only)
• Thursday, Oct. 21 - 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Oglesby Elks Lodge, 800 E. Walnut St., Oglesby (flu shots only)

Please note, LCHD does not yet have the VFC or CHIP flu vaccine (for children 6 months through age 18 who have Medicaid. It has been ordered and is expected to arrive mid to late October.

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine and Influenza HD (High Dose for persons 65 and older) will be available. All LaSalle County Health Department influenza vaccines are preservative free. The fee for the seasonal flu shot will be $25. The fee for influenza High Dose will be $60.

LCHD offers insurance billing or cash only payment. Debit or credit cards will not be accepted. You must have your insurance card and a photo ID with you. No doctor’s order is required. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Those unable to make one of the upcoming flu clinics, please call the Health Department at (815) 433-3366 to schedule an appointment. In addition, for anyone still in need of a COVID-19 vaccination, it is safe to receive the flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. The Health Department strongly encourages everyone who is eligible to receive their flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine to ensure everyone is protected as possible can be as we head into cold and flu season.

The flu vaccine’s effectiveness varies from year to year. But for those who still get the flu, the symptoms are milder than in those who have not been immunized. Influenza HD will be given to persons 65 and older. Human immune defenses become weaker with age. Aging decreases the body’s ability to have a good immune response. A higher dose of protection in the vaccine is added to give older persons a better immune response. This additional protection is intended to create a stronger immune response which will make the vaccine more effective in the elderly.

To lessen your chances of developing the flu, adults and children need to practice good hygiene measures. Teach the importance of covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and educate children about hand to mucous membrane transmission.

One of the best ways to protect yourself and your children is through frequent and thorough hand washing. People who are exhibiting “flu-like” symptoms should stay home from work, out of childcare and school to minimize transmission.

Remember the 3 C’s: clean, cover, and contain:

• 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.

For additional information please contact the LaSalle County Health Department at (815) 433-3366 or visit our website at www.lasallecounty.org.