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 every Monday in October and November from 3pm until 6 pm at the VNA office at 2401 Valley Drive in Valparaiso. Handicapped parking is available at the north entrance. (Please ring the doorbell for wheelchair access.)
In addition, the VNA will host flu shot clinics open to the public at the following sites:
Sunday, October 9 from 7:30 am to 11 am
St. Paul’s Catholic Church
1855 West Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso
Wednesday, October 12 from 9 am to 12 pm
Bonner Senior Center
5800 Lexington, Portage
Friday, October 14 from 8:30 am to 10:30 am
Banta Senior Center
605 Beech Street, Valparaiso
Sunday, October 16 from 8:30 to 11:30 am
First United Methodist Church
103 N. Franklin, Valparaiso
Wednesday, October 19 from 9 to 10:30 am
Hebron Community Center
611 N. Main, Hebron
Saturday, October 29 from 9 to 11 am
Valparaiso YMCA
1201 Cumberland Crossing 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/Perth and B/Brisbane viruses.
For the past 18 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 219-531-8088 for additional updates and information.