Pinal County Seasonal Flu Shots

The Pinal Co. Division of Public Health will be taking calls on Oct. 2nd, 4th, & 11th to schedule seasonal flu shot appointments beginning on Oct. 16th, at locations throughout the county. If you'd like to schedule an appointment for a flu shot, please call 520-866-6300 on Oct. 2nd, 4th, or 11th between the hours of 8 a.m. & 5 p.m.

No shortages of flu vaccine are expected this year. If you are unable to get through to the appointment call line, please hang up & try again. Please remember that appointment calls are only being taken on Oct. 2nd, 4th, & 11th at the 520-866-6300 phone number during the scheduled times.

Children can receive a flu shot without an appointment at their local Public Health clinic beginning Oct. 16th. If a parent or guardian has an appointment for a flu shot, they can bring their children with them to their appointment & the children will receive their flu vaccine at that time.

Health officials want to remind people that the single best way to protect against seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each fall. The flu vaccine contains 3 influenza viruses each year. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on scientific estimations about which types & strains of viruses will circulate that year. The viruses in the flu shot are killed, so you cannot get flu from a flu shot.

Flu season usually begins in Oct. & usually lasts until about April. Oct. & Nov. are the best times to be vaccinated, but people can still be vaccinated in Dec. & later. About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against flu infection develop in the body.

Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended that people at high risk for complications from the flu get vaccinated each year.

It is also recommended that people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu get vaccinated each year. These people include:
* Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (as listed above); * Household contacts & out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated);
* Healthcare workers.

There are some people who shouldn't be vaccinated w/out 1st consulting a physician. These include:
* past.
* getting an influenza vaccine previously.
* of age.
* get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Additionally, in order to reduce that chance of catching the flu this season, Public Health officials recommend frequent hand washing for 30 seconds using soap & warm water. If you do become ill, it is important to stay home to help prevent spreading the disease to others.

For more info on influenza disease & vaccinations, please call the Pinal Co. Public Health information hotline at 1-866-763-7252.