October is Influenza Prevention Month

Valley City, N.D. –. Gov. Burgum proclaimed the month of October as Influenza Prevention Month and City-County Health District is reminding everyone to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID this fall.

“The influenza vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year and an annual vaccine is an important action North Dakotans can take to protect themselves and their loved ones against flu viruses,” said State Health Officer, Dr. Nizar Wehbi.

“City-County Health District offers flu shots at area schools, daycares, churches and businesses during September and October. Individuals can also schedule an appointment to receive the flu shot at the CCHD office. If an individual is eligible to get an updated COVID-19 bivalent booster dose, they can get the shot at the same time as their flu vaccine” states Kerry Due, RN, Director of Nursing.

Influenza is not the “stomach flu.” It is a respiratory disease that most commonly causes fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills and body aches.

Everyone six months and older should receive the flu vaccine. Anyone can get the flu, including healthy individuals. When more people get the flu vaccine, the virus spreads less easily and much slower to those who are vulnerable to serious complications from the flu.

Infants, young children, pregnant women, those over age 65 or those who have chronic medical conditions are at an increased risk of serious complications from influenza.

Everyone six months or older can receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Everyone ages 5 years and older should get a booster vaccine when they are due. People ages 5 year to 11 years are currently recommended to get the original (monovalent) booster. People ages 12 years and older are recommended to receive one updated Pfizer or Moderna (bivalent) booster. This includes people who have received all primary series doses and people who have previously received one or more original (monovalent) boosters.

At this time, people aged 12 years to 17 years can only receive the updated Pfizer bivalent booster.

“People can get vaccinated against influenza and COVID anytime this fall, but the best time to get vaccinated is by the end of October,” states Levi Schlosser, epidemiologist with Department of Health and Human Services.

City-County Health District is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Vaccines are offered by appointment only. Please call 845-8518 to schedule an appointment.

Vaccine locations can be found online at www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines. Information about influenza can be found at www.hhs.nd.gov/ flu.