Flu shots now available and with higher doses for seniors

It is not too early to get that flu shot. In fact, Bear River Health Department officials say it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that everyone over six months receive  the vaccination.

On KVNU’s Crosstalk show Tuesday, Lisa Perkins, influenza program coordinator for the health department, said flu shots and flu mist are now available not only at the health department but other places as well.

Perkins said the annual flu shot is the first and very best way to protect against influenza. She says new this year is a high-dose vaccine recommended for people 65 and older.

“It’s the exact same flu shot as everyone else, it just has four times the amount in it,” Perkins said. “That’s because research has found that people 65 and above have a difficult time with their immune system, building immunity.

“So they found in research that it helps give them a better protection by having more antigen in it.”

For more information or questions on the flu vaccine call the Flu Vaccination Hotline at (435) 792-6530. Flu vaccination clinics are now being held at the Bear River Health Department from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.

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