Flu vaccine is available at local health departments within the New River Health District. Flu shots are offered by appointment only in each health department to all individuals who desire to protect themselves from influenza this season. The fee for the flu shot is $30 per dose and is covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. It is highly contagious (the virus can be transmitted even before flu-like symptoms appear) and generally spreads from person-to-person when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person usually becomes sick in 1-3 days of exposure. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue.

Unlike the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and can be life-threatening. Complications from the flu can lead to pneumonia and other serious illnesses, such as infections of the brain and heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, influenza causes an average of 36,000 deaths and more that 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. More people die of complications from the flu than any other vaccine-preventable disease.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its potentially severe complications. Flu season typically runs from November through April each year; therefore, the best time to receive influenza vaccine is early in the season, ideally in October or November. Protection develops about two weeks after vaccination and may last up to a year.

For more information about flu clinics or to schedule an appointment, call:
Floyd County Health Department: 540.745.2141
Giles County Health Department: 540.921.2891
Montgomery County Health Department: 540.381.7100
Pulaski County Health Department: 540.994.5030
Radford City Health Department: 540.831.5774