Flu & pneumonia shots
A recent study from the University of Minnesota has garnered significant media attention regarding the efficacy of the flu vaccine. Aurora Health Care and other health experts agree on the most important findings of this study:
- The flu shot is our best defense against the seasonal flu for individuals and our communities.
- The health care and research communities need to continue researching for more effective antigens to fight the seasonal flu.
This study does not change the fact that the CDC says as many as 49,000 Americans die from the seasonal flu each year. To lower the flu's death toll, a flu shot is the most effective step to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this disease.
- Bruce Van Cleave, M.D., chief medical officer, Aurora Health Care
Flu & pneumonia shots
Flu is a contagious disease that causes a lot of illness, hospitalizations and deaths. It is recommended that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against flu every year.
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Medicare Part B and Medicaid cover the cost of flu and pneumonia vaccinations. For people not on Medicare or Medicaid, the charge is $30 for a flu shot and $65 for a pneumonia shot. Payment must be made by cash or check. (Checks to Aurora Visiting Nurse Association, or VNA.)
While everyone should get a flu vaccination each flu season, it’s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications:
- Anyone 50 years of age or older
- All children 6 months of age –18 years of age (must be age 9 or above to receive from Aurora VNA)
- Women who will be pregnant during influenza season
- Anyone with long-term health problems
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Healthcare workers
- Household contacts and caregivers of people 50 years and older or anyone with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Preservative-free vaccine
Influenza vaccine without thimerosal preservative is available for $35 per shot at the clinics located at the Aurora VNA, 11333 W. National Ave. in West Allis as long as supplies last. See the schedule for dates and times.
FluMist
FluMist is a needle-free flu vaccine — a gentle nasal mist delivered into each nostril. FluMist is a weakened live virus vaccine and is available only to people from ages 2-49 years of age. Certain health-related restrictions apply. The Aurora VNA is making FluMist available for $35 to individuals age nine and older at the clinics located at the Aurora VNA, 11333 W. National Ave. in West Allis as long as supplies last. See the schedule for dates and times.
A pneumonia shot is recommended if you are:
- Age 65 or older Under age 65 with certain chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung diseases
- Under age 65 and have asthma or smoke cigarettes
- Usually, one dose of pneumococcal vaccine is recommended per lifetime. Certain individuals may benefit from an additional dose.
Why get the influenza vaccine?
Influenza (flu) is a serious disease. It is caused by a virus that spreads from infected persons to the nose or throat of others. Influenza can cause:
- Fever
- Cough
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle aches
Anyone can get influenza. Most people are ill with influenza for only a few days, but some get much sicker and may need to be hospitalized. Influenza causes thousands of deaths each year, mostly among the elderly. Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza.
Hear Dr. Bruce Van Cleave explain the value of a flu shot.
Tips for avoiding the flu
- Get a flu shot
- Eat a healthy well balanced diet
- Drink plenty of liquids and get plenty of sleep
- If you are sick, stay home to avoid passing anything on to others
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose or coughing or sneezing
- Discard used tissue immediately into the garbage can
Is it a cold or the flu?
| Symptoms | Cold | Flu |
| Fever | Rare | Characteristic, high (102-104 degrees F); lasts 3-4 days |
| Headache | Rare | Prominent |
| General aches, pains | Slight | Usual; often severe |
| Fatigue, weakness | Quite mild | Can last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Extreme exhaustion | Never | Early and prominent |
| Stuffy nose | Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes |
| Sore throat | Common | Sometimes |
| Chest discomfort, cough | Mild to moderate; hacking cough | Common; can become severe |
| Complications | Sinus congestion or earache | Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening |
| Prevention | None | Annual vaccination; amantadine or rimantadine (antiviral drugs) |
| treatment | Only temporary relief of symptoms | Amantadine or rimantadine within 24-48 hours after onset of symptoms |
Aurora VNA brings flu clinics to Hmong association
The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin provides health care solutions that enable people to remain independent within their communities. Get information on volunteering with the Aurora VNA.