Vail Valley flu vaccine FAQ
Vail, CO Colorado
VAIL VALLEY, Colorado –Vail Valley residents have lots of questions about the seasonal flu, swine flu and the vaccines for both. Here are some answers:
Will the regular flu shot protect against H1N1?
No. You need a separate H1N1 vaccine.
When will the H1N1 shot be available for young children?
County officials don’t know yet.
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When will the H1N1 shot be available for the general public?
“We’re hoping by early 2010 but at this time it just depends on the supplies that we get,” Eagle County epidemiologist Becky Larson said.
Who can get the H1N1 vaccine?
It will be available to high-risk groups first. Once it arrives, check with your doctor to find out whether you qualify as high risk, suggests Jeff Brown, a pediatric hospitalist with the Vail Valley Medical Center.
High risk groups include pregnant women, children six months to four years old, children five years to 18 years old with underlying risks and those who come into frequent contact with children under six months old (think parents, child-care workers), Larson said.
Eventually, it will be available to anyone older than six months, Larson said.
Is the H1N1 vaccine a shot?
Yes. There’s also a nasal mist. The nasal mist is for healthy people ages 2 to 49, Larson said. Pregnant women should not take the nasal mist, she said. Eagle County’s first shipment will be a nasal mist; subsequent shipments likely will include the mist and shots.
What are the risks associated with the H1N1 shot?
There’s a rare risk of getting some flu-like symptoms from the vaccine itself, “but they would pale in comparison to getting H1N1,” Brown said.
Because the vaccine is new, “it remains to be seen how protective the vaccine will be,” he said.
The vaccine is grown in egg, so if you have an egg allergy, check with your doctor before you get it, Brown said.
How much will the H1N1 vaccine cost?
Free through Eagle County’s public health department; private providers can charge an administration fee, Larson said.
Should I get a regular flu shot?
Healthy officials recommend the seasonal flu shot for anyone over six months old.
What are the risks associated with getting the flu shot?
There’s a rare risk of getting slight flu-like symptoms, but they’re far less severe than the flu, Brown said. The vaccine is grown in egg whites, so check with your doctor is you have an egg allergy.
How much does the seasonal flu vaccine cost?
Some insurance plans cover it. You can get it locally for about $10 to $40.
Where can I get the flu shot?
Check with your doctor’s office or try one of these locations.
Name: Eagle Valley Pharmacy in the Vail Valley Medical Center
address: 181 W. meadow Drive, Vail
Phone: 970-479-7253
Adult flu shot: yes
Kids’ flu shot: no
Flu mist: no
Cost: $20
When available: Clinic is 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday for adults 18 and older.
Name: Edwards pharmacy in the Shaw Regional Cancer Center
Address: 322 Beard Creek Road, Edwards
Phone: 970-569-7676
Adult flu shot: yes
Kids’ flu shot: no
Flu mist: no
Cost: $20
When available: Clinic is 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday
Name: Eagle Valley Medical Center
address: 377 Sylvan Lake Road, Suite 220
Phone: 970-328-6357
Adult flu shot: yes, for existing patients only
Kids’ flu shot: yes, for existing patients
Flu mist: yes, for existing patients
Cost: $30; accepts some insurance; some insurance plans covers it
When available: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Name: Eagle County’s walk-in flu clinic
address: 100 W. Beaver Creek Blvd., Avon
Phone: 970-949-7026
Adult flu shot: yes
Kids’ flu shot: yes
Flu mist: yes
Cost: $10 for children 18 and under; $20 for adults
When available: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 14, Oct. 21
Name: Eagle County’s walk-in flu clinic
address: 551 Broadway, Eagle
Phone: 970-328-8840
Adult flu shot: yes
Kids’ flu shot: yes
Flu mist: yes
Cost: $10 for children 18 and under; $20 for adults
When available: 2 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 14, Oct. 21
Name: City Market, Vail
address: 2109 N. Frontage Road West
Phone: 970-476-1621
Adult flu shot: yes, supplies are limited
Kids’ flu shot: no
Flu mist: no
Cost: $25; accepts insurance; some insurance plans cover it
When available: 9 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Name: City Market, Eagle
address 0103 market street, eagle
Phone: 970-328-1311, hit 0
Adult flu shot: yes
Kids’ flu shot: no
Flu mist: no
Cost: $25; accepts insurance; some insurance companies cover the shots
When available: 9 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Name: City Market, Avon
address: 260 Beaver Creek Place
Phone: 970-949-5437
Adult flu shot: temporarily out, but expecting another shipment
Kids’ flu shot: no
Flu mist: no
Cost: $25; accepts insurance; some insurance companies cover the shots
When available: 9 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Name: Colorado Mountain Medical
Address: 322 Beard Creek Road, Suite 200, Edwards
Phone: 970-926-6340
Adult flu shot: no
Kids’ flu shot: no
Pediatric flu shot (children 6 to 35 months): Expecting to have it Friday
Flu mist (ages 2 to 49): yes
Cost: $40 mist; pediatric dose $30 ; accepts contracted insurances; some insurance plans covers it
When available: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Name: Colorado Mountain Medical
Address: 181 W. Meadow Drive, Suite 800, Vail
Phone: 970-476-7600
Adult flu shot: no
Kids’ flu shot: no
Pediatric flu shot (children 6 to 35 months): expecting to have it Friday
Flu mist (ages 2 to 49): yes
Cost: $40 mist; pediatric dose $30 ; accepts contracted insurances; some insurance plans covers it
When available: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Name: Colorado Mountain Medical
Address: 0377 Sylvan Lake Road, Eagle
Phone: 970-328-1650
Adult flu shot: no
Kids flu shot: no
Pediatric flu shot (children 6 to 35 months): expecting to have it Friday
Flu mist (ages 2 to 49): yes
Cost: $40 mist; pediatric dose $30 ; accepts contracted insurances; some insurance plans covers it
When available: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
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