The flu season is quickly approaching, and we want our customers to be informed so that they may be best protected against the virus.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine on a yearly basis to anyone 6 months of age or older.  Higher risk populations may experience an increased risk of serious flu-related complications and are especially encouraged to talk to their healthcare providers about the vaccine.  Some high risk populations include but are not limited to:

• Pregnant women
• Children younger than 5 (especially children younger than 2 years old)
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (i.e. COPD, diabetes)
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers
  • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Flu season commonly falls between October to May with the highest incidence occurring during January and February.  Patients are encouraged to get the vaccination as soon as resources become available in their communities, usually around September.

Our pharmacists are qualified to provide immunization services to patients age 14 and up without prescription authorization by their doctor and to children ages 9 to 14 with a valid prescription. Please stop by our store or contact us with any flu vaccination questions at 270-825-2775.

For more information, visit the CDC website at

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm#who-vaccinated