by Sean Edens | Oct 5, 2023 | flu, flu vaccine, News
Flu season is gearing up in Mesa County. The flu vaccine is now available at Mesa County Public Health for anyone ages six months old and older. Every year the flu changes, so you need an updated version of the vaccine to ensure your body develops immunity to the most recent strain of the virus
The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get vaccinated. It’s a safe and effective way to protect yourself and those around you, especially those at higher risk like older adults, infants, and pregnant people.
DRIVE-THROUGH CLINICS:
Mesa County Public Health is hosting two drive-through flu clinics in October. All residents are welcome and no appointments are required.
WHEN:
- Saturday, October 7th from 9 AM – 1 PM
- Saturday, October 21st from 9 AM – 1 PM
WHERE:
Mesa County Public Health parking lot
510 29 ½ Road
BRING:
- ID
- Insurance Card
- If you do not have insurance, the flu vaccine is free during our Drive-Through events. Low-cost options will also be available throughout the flu season.
CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE DRIVE-THROUGH FLU CLINIC?
The Public Health Clinic at Mesa County Public Health also offers flu vaccination during regular business hours:
- Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM
- Friday from 8 AM to noon.
Call 970-248-6900 to schedule an appointment.
Bring an ID and your Insurance Card. Flu vaccination is typically covered by insurance, however, don’t let cost be a barrier. If you do not have insurance, there are options available.
LOCAL BACKGROUND ON FLU
We typically see a higher rate of respiratory illnesses, including flu and RSV, from October through May, with cases typically peaking in December. Last year, Mesa County hospitalizations due to flu were higher than the previous five years.
Stay up to date with COVID-19, flu, and RSV data on the What’s Going Around webpage.
by Alli Howe | Oct 3, 2023 | COVID19, flu, News
Residents can view local illness data on the What’s Going Around webpage. This webpage provides relevant disease trends and prevention tips.
Summary of 2023 trends for West Nile virus
Active surveillance is winding down for West Nile virus due to colder temperatures.
“We provided updates for West Nile virus over the summer and early this fall. We traditionally see a peak of cases in September. This year was no different,” stated Mesa County Public Health epidemiologist, Kathleen Satterfield. “We had 16 reported cases this year, the highest recorded count of West Nile cases in over a decade. This includes 12 hospitalizations.” Mesa County had the highest number of West Nile virus cases among counties in the region.
You can view the summary of this year’s West Nile data on the What’s Going Around webpage.
Viral respiratory disease data begins
COVID-19, flu, and RSV are respiratory illnesses that cause hospitalizations in Mesa County every year. We typically see the most activity from October through March. Your local epidemiologists will update Mesa County hospitalization numbers for these three viruses. Look for updates every week on Tuesdays until the end of March 2024.
You can also view flu trends from past years on the What’s Going Around webpage.
Continue to encourage prevention
“COVID-19 taught us the importance of protecting our coworkers, grandparents, and anyone with compromised immune systems. Let’s use the lessons we learned to help us through the upcoming respiratory illness season,” encouraged Satterfield.
Prevention actions protect you and those around you from the worst outcomes of these viral respiratory diseases.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Disinfect surfaces you frequently touch at home and work – like door knobs and light switches.
- Stay up to date on vaccines.
If you have questions about vaccine availability and scheduling contact Mesa County Public Health Info Line, 970-248-6900.
by Alli Howe | Sep 13, 2023 | COVID19, flu, News
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a COVID-19 vaccine for the coming respiratory illness season. Studies suggest that the vaccine is a good match for protecting against the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. It is approved for ages six months and older.
This vaccine will be available at Mesa County Public Health before the end of October. We will notify the community and start scheduling appointments as soon as our order is confirmed.
“COVID-19 is going to be with us moving forward as a community. We encourage everyone who is eligible to consider getting vaccinated. It is our best tool to prevent the most severe outcomes from COVID-19,” said Clinical Services Manager, Allison Sanchez.
Other respiratory illnesses
COVID-19 will circulate at the same time as other respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV.
“We’re entering another cold-and-flu season with COVID-19, flu, and RSV circulating at the same time, and we have already seen an increase in new COVID-19 cases. We’re also anticipating another year with a large number of RSV cases,” said Rachel Burmeister, Disease Surveillance and Emergency Response Manager.
Prevention encouraged
There are habits for limiting the impacts of these respiratory viruses:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Disinfect surfaces you frequently touch at home and work – like door knobs and light switches.
- Stay up to date on vaccines.
Burmeister continued, “We want to be mindful of our youngest, oldest, and immunocompromised community members who may have worse outcomes from these illnesses. Prevention really matters.”
Support from Mesa County Public Health
Vaccine services will be available at the Public Health Clinic.
COVID-19
- The Public Health Clinic will no longer administer the bivalent Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 boosters, as mandated by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Community members will receive the new COVID-19 vaccine.
Flu
- Scheduling patients for flu vaccine appointments next week.
- Drive-Through Flu Vaccine Events are scheduled for October 7th and 21st from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
RSV
- We recommend community members age 60 and older speak to their primary care provider.
- The RSV vaccine will be available at local pharmacies.
- The Public Health Clinic will have limited doses.
The community can view data trends for local respiratory illnesses on our website starting October 2 on the What’s Going Around webpage.
The Public Health Info Line is available to answer questions about where to receive services. Call 970-248-6900 during our operating hours.
by Alli Howe | Oct 1, 2021 | flu, flu season, flu shot, flu vaccine, News
2022 Dates for the Drive-Thru Flu Clinics: https://bit.ly/3dm1Rif
The 2021-2022 flu season is officially underway, and Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) warns that this season could be more active than last year.
In 2020, the flu season was mild, with no pediatric deaths and just 34 hospitalizations in Colorado. However, our mild flu season is likely to change this year because many of the COVID-19 precautions that also kept flu activity low in 2020, such as social distancing and mask-wearing, are more relaxed, possibly resulting in a more active flu season.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is possible to get both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. “You can only imagine how sick you’d feel having both viruses at once. Having one is enough to cause severe illness,” explains Allison Sanchez, Public Health Clinic Manager at MCPH. “Last year, we didn’t have a COVID-19 vaccine available for most of the flu season. This year, we have effective vaccines available for both viruses.”
Flu clinics are for people of all ages, with special considerations for children. Flu vaccination is typically covered by insurance, and if you do not have insurance, you qualify for our vaccine program, significantly reducing the cost. Don’t let cost be a barrier, we have options.
WHEN:
- Saturday, October 16th from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. (open to all ages)
- Saturday, October 23rd from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. (open to all ages)
WHERE:
- Community Services Building Parking Lot, 510 29 ½ Road
WHAT TO BRING:
- ID
- Insurance card* – if you have it, if not, don’t worry!
REGISTER AHEAD OF TIME:
We encourage you to register in advance here.
You can get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time, and The MCPH COVID-19 vaccine clinic will also be open during flu clinics. Residents who want to get both vaccines at the same location at the same time may do so by going inside our building during the drive-thru operation for a COVID-19 vaccine. Registration for COVID-19 vaccination can be found here.
*COVID-19 vaccinations do not require identification or insurance.
Prefer an appointment?
The MCPH Clinic offers flu vaccination during regular business hours – Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. If you would like your flu vaccine outside our drive-thru flu clinic hours, an appointment is needed. We urge all residents who want to get a flu vaccine to come in and see us or give us a call at 970-248-6900 with any questions.
by Stefany Busch | Mar 2, 2021 | flu, influenza, News
Public Health Emerging Issues
March 2, 2021
MINIMAL FLU ACTIVITY LOCALLY, REGIONALLY, AND NATIONALLY
- There has been minimal influenza (flu) activity in Mesa County so far for the 2020-21 season with 0 (zero) hospitalizations due to influenza.
- The average number of hospitalizations over the past four years in Mesa County is approximately 163 per season.
- In looking at data from the previous four influenza seasons the 2019-20 season had the lowest number of hospitalizations (77) while the 2017-18 season had the highest (232).
- Although the rate of influenza-related hospitalizations has decreased both locally and across the country in the 2020-21 season, flu testing is being conducted as usual.
- Hospital labs in Mesa County have performed 2,271 flu tests this season with only two positive results (.08%).
- Influenza activity traditionally intensifies with peak hospitalizations in our area occurring in February or March.
- The Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) clinic has administered 1,957 flu vaccine doses so far this season. Last season, 2,110 flu shots were administered at MCPH.
- The state of Colorado has seen 24 influenza-related hospitalizations so far in the 2020-21 season. As a comparison, during the 2019-2020 influenza season, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) recorded 3,546 influenza-related hospitalizations.
- There have been no pediatric influenza-related deaths in Colorado so far this season.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an unusually mild influenza season across the country for the 2020-21 season.
- The current cumulative hospitalization rate across the U.S. is 0.6 per 100,000 population according to the CDC.
- By comparison in 2011-12, a low severity season, the rate was 1.6 times higher at this point in the season.
- The CDC estimates that 193 million influenza vaccine doses were administered nationwide through January 15, 2021.
- Public health professionals believe the reduction in influenza-related hospitalizations this season (2020-21) is a result of social distancing and sanitation measures implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19.
- To protect yourself against influenza, wash your hands regularly with soap and water, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and stay away from sick people. Just like COVID-19, staying home when you start to feel sick is an important step to stop the spread of illness.
- It’s not too late to get your flu shot. The MCPH Clinic has flu vaccine available and cost is never a barrier.
- Stay up to date by visiting the MCPH Flu-View page, click here for additional flu data and information.
by Mesa County Public Health | Oct 1, 2020 | COVID19, flu, flu season, flu shot, flu vaccine, Public Health Recommendations
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has flu vaccine available and is currently scheduling appointments. The best way to protect yourself from the flu this fall and winter is to get vaccinated. It’s a safe and effective way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy.
Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness characterized by fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, body aches and headache. To avoid getting the flu, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the seasonal flu vaccine for individuals ages 6 months and older. Annual flu shots are necessary to protect against seasonal strains of the flu.
Symptoms of COVID-19 and flu are very similar. Older populations as well as those with underlying conditions are more susceptible to COVID-19 and the flu, but the flu also hits children particularly hard. There were three pediatric deaths in Colorado during the 2019-2020 flu season, and 77 hospitalizations in residents of all ages Mesa County.
Get Vaccinated Every Year
- Every year the flu changes, so you need an updated vaccine to ensure your body develops immunity to the most recent strain of the virus.
- After the vaccination, it takes approximately two weeks for the body to develop an immune response. That’s why Mesa County Public Health recommends residents get immunized now.
Mesa County Public Health is hosting two drive thru flu clinics during the month of October, all residents are welcome. Don’t let cost be a barrier, we have options for those who do not have insurance.
What: Drive Thru Flu Clinic
When: October 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
October 24, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Mesa County Public Health
510 29 ½ Road
The MCPH Clinic offers flu vaccination during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. We urge all residents who want to get a flu vaccine to come to a flu clinic, or call 970-248-6900 to make an appointment.
