The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there were as many 54 million cases of the flu, up to 650,000 hospitalizations and as many as 58,000 flu-related deaths between October 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023.
Vaccinations can help lower your risk of becoming one of these numbers during the 2023/2024 flu season. However, the flu is not the only concern for medical professionals. With the recent uptick in COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) cases, there are some concerns that a “tripledemic” could occur with all three viruses prevalent at the same time.
“One way to mitigate your own risk is to get vaccinated,” said Becky Wolf, director of Greene County Public Health. “Vaccinations are particularly important for the elderly and those who are at higher risk because of other health issues. We recommend that everyone protect themselves and those they love by getting flu and COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters this fall.”
Public Health will offer flu and COVID vaccination clinics every Tuesday from 9 am to noon and on Thursdays from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Public Health office, 1000 W. Lincoln Way in Jefferson.
There will also be a drive-through clinic Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 3 to 6:30 pm at Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds.
Appointments for all clinics can be made by logging on to https://bit.ly/3rvgcAg or calling Public Health at 515-386-3228.
