Flu Shots Available Through JeffCo Health Department

LAKEWOOD, CO – A spike in hospitalizations and deaths last year from the flu has local health departments working to encourage residents to get a flu shot as soon as possible this year.

Flu shots are now available at the Jefferson County Public Health clinic, located in Lakewood at 645 Parfet Street, the department announced.

Last year’s flu season was the worst the U.S. has seen in years, the Jeffco health department said. More than 900,000 people were hospitalized, and more than 80,000 died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number includes 172 children — 80 percent of whom were not vaccinated against the flu.

“Last year in Colorado, we saw the highest number of influenza-associated hospitalizations reported in one season to-date,” said Kelly Conroy, associate director of clinic services in a press release. “Getting our flu shots is the best way to protect ourselves and others, and we encourage everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated.”

Flu season is off to an early start, the department said. In Colorado, two people have already been hospitalized due to the flu, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the first flu-related death of the year was confirmed last week in Kentucky.

The JeffCo health department offered these facts to encourage everyone who can to get a flu shot:

• The flu shot helps protect those around you who need it most, including those who can’t get vaccinated. — Even if you are not part of an at-risk population, like children under age 5, adults age 65 and older, pregnant women, residents of long-term care facilities and those with weakened immune systems, it’s important for you to get the flu shot. By getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself, but protecting those in the population who are most at risk of contracting and getting seriously ill from influenza. To learn more, watch this video on flu vaccination.
• Even if you get the flu, the flu shot will prevent you from getting as sick and help you bounce back faster. — According to a 2018 CDC-supported study, a vaccinated adult who was admitted to the hospital with the flu was 59 percent less likely to be put into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) than an adult who had not been vaccinated. Another study in 2017 showed flu vaccination reduced the number of admissions into the ICU, the length of stay in the ICU, the duration of hospital stays and overall, the number of deaths related to the flu.

• Vaccines, including the flu shot, are proven to be safe. — There is no risk of getting the flu from the influenza vaccine. Vaccines are proven to be safe and effective ways to control the spread of diseases in our community. After you get a flu shot, your arm may be a little sore, and in extreme cases, you may feel a little “off” afterward, but the majority of people have no negative side effects.

• Flu shots are affordable and easily accessible. — Flu shots are available by appointment only at the JCPH clinic in Lakewood. The clinic provides these immunizations, and others, and can bill to Medicaid and several private insurances. Both translation and interpretation is offered. For a full list of the clinic’s hours, see the website: https://www.jeffco.us/2104/Immunizations.

To make an appointment for a flu shot, call JeffCo Health Dept. at 303-239-7078.

Image via JeffCo Health Department

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