Beginning Monday, September 30, flu shots will be available for both adults and children at the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa). Vaccine for children ages 6 months through 18 years will be available at no fee through the Vaccines for Children Program. The vaccine will be $33.00 for adults. Medicare will cover the cost of the vaccine for eligible adults age 65 and older. The vaccine will be available by appointment at the health department’s locations in Milton and Midway. Call 850-983-5200 and select Option 3 to schedule an appointment.
The flu vaccine is one of the safest and easiest ways to help prevent the flu. The health department recommends vaccinating children early, since it takes approximately 2 weeks for the body to develop immunity to the disease and provide maximum protection.
In addition to the flu vaccine, the health department recommends taking the following precautions to help prevent flu and flu-like illnesses:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue, then throw the tissue away, or cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve. Avoid touching your face.
- If you do become ill with flu-like symptoms, stay home until you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medicine, and keep children home from school or day care if they are sick.
For more information, contact DOH-Santa Rosa at (850) 983-5200.
For more information about the flu, visit FluFreeFlorida.com.
