National Flu Shot Week (December 5-11) is an annual celebration in December to remind everyone 6 months and older that there is still time to get a flu shot.

Vaccination is especially important for people who are at a higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including people with certain chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, in previous flu seasons, 9 in 10 adults hospitalized with the flu had at least one underlying medical condition.

Since influenza viruses are constantly changing and immunization protection wanes over time, getting the flu shot every year is the best way to prevent the flu. Flu shots are the only vaccines that protect against the flu and have been shown to reduce the risk of flu, hospitalization and death.

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot every year, especially those most at risk. The more people who are vaccinated against the flu, the more people are protected against the flu.

COVID-19 community transmission and case update

The number of people in Fayette County who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic now exceeds 5,000, and the number of hospitalizations reported to Fayette County Public Health (FCPH) during last week tripled from the previous week. , with 15 new hospitalizations.

In total, there have been a total of 5,024 COVID cases in the county since March 2020 (3,823 confirmed, 1,201 probable). A total of 384 residents were hospitalized. Seventy-two deaths have been recorded and 4,568 people are believed to be cured. (Presumed cure is defined as cases whose symptoms appeared at least 21 days before and who have not died).

In addition to the new hospitalizations, Fayette County Public Health has received reports of 71 new cases and two deaths over the past week. Fayette County’s 14-day COVID test positivity rate for the period ending November 30 remained stable from the previous period at 19.3%.

Fayette County continues to experience a high level of community transmission of COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In areas with high and high transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone (including those fully vaccinated) wear a mask in indoor public places to help prevent the spread of Delta and protect others.

Omicron

The Ohio Department of Health is aware of variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron). At this time, the ODH has not seen any cases in Ohio. They closely follow the evolution of this variant.

Upcoming vaccination clinics

All clinics are by appointment only. If you have already received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, please bring your COVID-19 vaccination record for updating. Please bring your insurance card if you get the flu shot. Masks are mandatory in all clinics. To schedule, call 740-335-5910 or visit faycohd.org/events.

FCPH OFFICE –

– Johnson & Johnson – December 8, 15 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

– Pfizer / Comirnaty – 10, 17 Dec. – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

– Moderna – December 13 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

– The three COVID-19 vaccines – December 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FAYETTE COUNTY FAIR – All three COVID-19 vaccines, boosters, pediatric doses, influenza and high-dose influenza will be available. The health service office will be closed on these dates so staff can help outside the clinic.

– Tuesday December 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

– Tuesday December 21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on immunization clinic dates, visit faycohd.org/events or call 740-335-5910.

Who is eligible:

– Flu shot, 6 months and over

– High dose influenza vaccine, 65 years and over

– Pfizer / Comirnaty, 5 years and over

– Moderna, 18 years old and over

– Johnson & Johnson, 18 and over

Eligibility for boosters:

– Pfizer / Comirnaty, 18 years and over, 6 months after the second dose

– Moderna, 18 years and over, 6 months after the second dose

– Johnson & Johnson, 18 years and over, 2 months after the initial dose

Cost:

– COVID-19 – free of charge

– Flu – Covered by insurance or $ 25 self-pay

– High-dose flu – Covered by insurance or $ 65 self-paid

FCPH accepts the following insurers: Aetna, Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Anthem BCBS Medicare, Buckeye, Caresource, Cigna (Allied Health), Humana, Medicaid of Ohio, Medical Mutual, Medicare B (for influenza and pneumonia only), Medigold, Molina, Ohio PPO Connect, Paramount, United HealthCare, United HealthCare Community Plan.

Isolation and quarantine

If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, please visit faycohd.org for isolation and quarantine protocols. If you need a release letter to return to work or school, Fayette County Public Health asks you to complete an online case investigation survey. The survey can be found on the faycohd.org website.