Clinic will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at State Fair Park

The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin (VNA) will hold a public flu vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at State Fair Park’s Tommy Thompson Youth Center in response to new, expanded state guidelines for high-risk individuals.

The guidelines, which go into effect Dec. 13, include persons 50 or older, and all household contacts of people at high-risk for complications of influenza. High-risk is defined as:

• Infants up to 23 months.
• Persons ages 2 and older with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes).
• Pregnant women.
• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
• Children 6 months to 18 years old who are on chronic aspirin therapy.
• Health-care workers.

It is important to note the VNA does not vaccinate children under the age of 9, and high-risk children age 9 to 17 need to have a parent with them to get a shot. Parents should take children under 9 to their pediatrician because they may require two doses of the vaccine.

People who qualify for a shot also can ask their primary care physicians to see if they have vaccine available.

Medicare Part B and Medicaid cover the cost of both vaccinations. For people not on Medicare or Medicaid, the charge is $18 for a flu shot and $30 for a pneumonia shot.

For individuals not in the high-risk groups, federal health experts recommend these tips to stay well:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Use tissues for coughs and sneezes and dispose of immediately
• Stay home from work/school if they think they are sick
• Talk to doctor to see if antiviral medicines could help during an outbreak or early signs of flu
• If you think you have the flu, avoid elderly or frail relatives and friends
• Eat well and get enough rest.

The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin is a not-for-profit agency that has been committed to keeping people independent in their homes since 1907. The VNA is the most comprehensive source of home-care services in eastern Wisconsin.

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a nationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care. Aurora offers services at sites in more than 80 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.

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Contact:  Sue Pierman (414-647-64320