Published Oct 16, 2008
The state Health Department will hold a flu clinic Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rio Arriba County Public Health Office on Lower San Pedro Road, in Española.
No appointment is needed and flu shots are free.
The Department recommends those who face a higher risk of serious illness, death or of exposing others to the flu get a flu shot as early as possible. High-risk individuals are:
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• Persons ages 2 to 64 years with chronic health conditions such as asthma or other breathing problems, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, muscle or nerve disorders that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems, and children on long-term aspirin therapy.
• Children age 6 months up to their 19th birthday
• People aged 50 years and older
• Pregnant women
• Health care workers who provide direct patient care
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children up to age 5, or anyone at increased risk of flu complications
Many of the people at high risk for a flu shot should also get a pneumonia shot if they have never had one.
Everyone age 65 and older needs to have a pneumonia shot.
For more information about the flu clinic, call the Rio Arriba Public Health Office at 753-2794 or visit www.nmhealth.org.