The Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County (VNA) is preparing for another busy flu shot season. Influenza (flu) is a serious disease of the nose, throat, and lungs. It can make you sick for a week or longer with coughing, fever, aching, and more. It can lead to pneumonia and make already existing health problems such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease worse. Each year in the U.S. about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. Getting a flu shot is the BEST way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu.
The VNA will host flu shot clinics open to the public at the following sites:
Wednesday, September 5 from 7:30 am to 9:30 am
Valpo YMCA
1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive, Valparaiso
Monday, September 10 from 4 pm to 6 pm
Visiting Nurse Association
2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso
Monday, September 24 from 4 pm to 7 pm
Visiting Nurse Association
2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso
Sunday, September 30 from 8:45 am to 10:45 am
Christ Lutheran Church
2610 Campbell Street, Valparaiso
Friday, October 5 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am
Banta Senior Center
605 Beech Street, Valparaiso
Sunday, October 7 from 7:30 am to 11 am
St. Paul’s Catholic Church
1855 West Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso
Wednesday, October 10 from 9 am to 11 am
Bonner Senior Center
5800 Lexington, Portage
Monday, October 22 from 4 pm to 7 pm
Visiting Nurse Association
2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso
Flu shots cost $30 or presentation of a Medicare Part B card. Ticket numbers will be distributed on a first come, first served basis at VNA flu shot clinic sites. The VNA is able to vaccinate persons 9 years old and older.
The FDA approved vaccine protects against the three viruses predicted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to be circulating this year, the A/California (the H1N1 strain), A/Victoria and B/Wisconsin viruses.
For the past 19 years, the VNA, a nonprofit organization, has provided flu shot immunizations to the community, often staffed by nurses who volunteer their time as part of their contribution to community health.
For a complete list of flu shot clinics, check the VNA website at www.vnaportercounty.org, or the Flu Clinic Locator at www.vnaa.org. You may also call the VNA Flu Phone at 219-531-8077 for additional updates and information.