protect yourself
No excuses: It's time to get the flu shot and the City of Austin offers free FluClinics
Cool fronts, changing foliage, warm meals… all of the fixings of fall, minus one thing. The flu. Yep, 'tis also the season for body aches, fevers and sick days. However, there is a good way to prevent such malaise (aside from maniacal hand-washing and Lysol-ing), and that is by getting an annual flu shot.
Kindly, the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department is offering free flu shots for both the insured and uninsured, including children 6 months and older. Flu season doesn't officially start until October, however there is no medical harm in receiving the vaccination ahead of time (i.e., now).
According to Henry Bernstein, a professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical School and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' infectious diseases committee, flu activity usually peaks in January, February and March, and it winds down in May. Little known fact: it takes two weeks for the vaccine to kick in. All the more reason to sign up today.
Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services urges everyone to take steps to protect the community's health and lessen the spread of the flu (think back to the widespread panic of 2009's Swine-Flu outbreak), offering these basic reminders:
• Get a seasonal flu shot.
• Wash your hands often.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve and not your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• If you feel sick, stay home from work or school.
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Seasonal Flu Clinic Schedule:
Wednesday, September 21st
Givens Park (Drive-Thru Clinic—available for persons 9 years of age or older)
3811 E. 12th Street 78721
7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
No Appointment Needed
Saturday, September 24th
South Austin Neighborhood Center
2508 Durwood St., 78704
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Appointment Required
Wednesday, September 28th
Southeast Metro Park (Drive-Thru Clinic—available for persons 9 years of age or older)
4511 Hwy 71 East
Del Valle 78617
7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
No Appointment Required
Saturday, October 1st
Virginia Brown Recreation Center
7500 Blessing Avenue 78752
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Appointment Required
Thursday, October 6th
Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center
2800 Webberville Rd., 78702
2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Appointment Required
Tuesday, October 11th
Pfluger Hall
203 E. Pecan Street
2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Appointment Required
Walk In Clinics at Austin Fire Department and Travis County EMS Stations: (No Appointment Needed and available for persons 9 years of age or older)
Friday, November 11th
9:00 a.m. to 2:p.m.
Station # 5
1201 Webberville Road 78721
Station #28
5905 Nuckols Crossing 78744
Station #2
203 E. Pecan Street; Pflugerville, TX 78660
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For a map of all Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services flu clinic locations go to Google Maps and search Austin Flu Clinics 2011.
Flu Shot Information for the public is available by calling 2-1-1, 3-1-1, 972-5520 or by visiting our website at https://www.austintexas.gov/health