Community Health and Wellness

Take time to get your flu shot!- Hamilton Community Health Network clinics start offering vaccines today

FLINT, October 4, 2021 – Now is the time to make time to get your flu shot. While COVID-19 is still with us and other viruses are appearing, it’s a matter of time before the annual influenza virus starts finding its hosts, or victims.

Keep in mind, the flu shot protects you from the respiratory flu, not stomach bugs. It attacks your lungs and makes it difficult to breathe. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

There are many misconceptions about the flu shot that keep people from getting the vaccine. But now, more than ever, it’s important to make an educated decision about the flu shot.

Kimberly Warden, director of quality improvement at Hamilton Community Health Network, explained a few of those misunderstandings. First, the flu shot does not give you the flu. The flu virus in the vaccine is ‘dead’ and therefore cannot infect you. If you get sick within a week or so after getting a shot, you were already exposed to the virus. Remember, you can get sick while the vaccine is building immunity, which can take up to two weeks. Second, the flu vaccine is safe. Influenza vaccines go through many tests each year to assure you are getting a safe vaccine. Third, it is not better to get the flu than the flu vaccine. The flu is a serious disease and can cause serious complications that can lead to death.

 “People with asthma, heart disease, diabetes or other chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of developing complications from the flu, along with pregnant women, children, and seniors,” said Warden

According to the CDC, during recent flu seasons, nine out of 10 people hospitalized with flu had at least one underlying health condition. That’s why getting an annual flu vaccine is especially important for people with certain chronic health conditions!

Hamilton Community Health Network is making it as easy as possible for everyone to get a flu shot. Hamilton is offering flu shots:

  • In all their clinics during regular business hours. Just call to make an appointment
  • Drive-thru clinic locations 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., appointment preferred
    • Mondays – Main, 2900 N. Saginaw St. Flint
    • Wednesdays – North Pointe, 5710 Clio Rd. Flint
    • Fridays – Burton, inside Fire Station No. 1 Bristol & Saginaw, Burton
  • In the clinics during evening hours from 5 – 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. These will rotate between the clinics. No appointment necessary. Visit HamiltonCHN.org for details or our Facebook page.

Flu vaccines at Hamilton are no-Cost, meaning they will not charge anyone but will ask those who have insurance to bring their insurance cards, as flu vaccines are a covered benefit. This helps to cover the costs and allows them to continue to provide more vaccines in our community.

Now is the time to make time for your flu shot. For more information call 810-406-4246 for further information or go to HamiltonCHN.org

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