Influenza Vaccine opportunities available on Health Department’s Find a Vaccine tool

Flu season is nearly here, which means it's time to start preparing with the annual influenza vaccine. Last year, Springfield-Greene County Health expanded its Find a Vaccine map on Vaccine417.com to help individuals in our community find a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine opportunity map is back again this year for those seeking flu vaccines.

This season could be particularly severe based on Australia's current flu season. The country is seeing its worst flu season in five years and flu cases have surpassed pre-COVID-19 numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine, with rare exceptions such as allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine. Getting your flu shot can reduce the severity of flu symptoms and flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.

Typically, the highest peak period in the flu season is between December and February, but it is recommended adults needing just one dose be vaccinated by end of October, if possible. However, a vaccine anytime during the season provides some protection.

Vulnerable groups of people like those who are pregnant should speak with their doctor to decide the best timeline for their flu vaccine.

In addition to the flu shot, it is highly recommended to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. The COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine can be given at or around the same time. To make the flu vaccine more accessible to those who may otherwise be unable to afford it, the Health Department will make flu vaccine available to the uninsured and underinsured at some COVID-19 popup vaccination clinics.

Health Department and partner-led flu and COVID-19 vaccination opportunities can both be found at vaccine417.com using the Find a Vaccine Map tool. Anyone with questions about how to use the interactive map or to find out more information about a vaccine event can contact the COVID-19 Call Center at (417) 874-1211.

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Media may contact the Health Department PIO Team by call or text at 417-380-2556 or email at [email protected].

Springfield-Greene County Health Department

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