Panhandle Health District

                                                               8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         Date:     Nov. 30, 2009                

Contact:                                                                                                                             Released by: Jim Fenton, Acting Director                         

Joyce Bergen

Acting Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5127

(208) 699-5198 (cell)

Seasonal Flu Shots Available for Adults

Hayden—The Panhandle Health District (PHD) will offer seasonal flu shots for adults on a first-come-first-served basis Friday, Dec. 4, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the PHD office in Hayden, 8500 N. Atlas Rd.

              Flu shots for adults cost $25. PHD accepts Medicaid, Medicare Part B, cash and checks. No appointments are necessary.

 Seasonal flu kills 36,000 people in the United States every year and hospitalizes more than 200,000 people each year with complications. It hits young children, people older than 64 and anyone with a weakened immune system the hardest. Flu shots offer some protection from the virus. Good prevention practices include regular hand washing, covering your cough and sneezing into your sleeve.

              The seasonal flu is a respiratory illness that spreads quickly and easily. People with symptoms—fever, dry cough, sore throat, body aches, malaise—should stay home to protect others from catching the virus.

              With two flu viruses circulating—seasonal and the H1N1 flu virus—vaccination protection is particularly important this year.

              For PHD’s flu shot schedule, visit www.phd1.idaho.gov.