Trevor Hamilton receives a vaccine Tuesday from nurse manager Michele Thompson at the Montgomery County Free Clinic. The clinic provides flu shots for uninsured or under-insured children.
A dispenser with gloves and face masks greets patients at the Montgomery County Free Clinic experiencing a cough or fever. Experts recommend frequent hand washing and other hygeine practices to prevent the spread of flu.
Before the worst of the season hits, there’s still time to get a flu shot.
Local residents are rolling up their sleeves for the vaccine as sporadic cases of the virus begin appearing across the nation. Two flu-related deaths have already been reported statewide, according to the Indiana Department of Health.
Patients at the Montgomery County Free Clinic, which holds weekly immunization hours, began requesting the shots in September when word spread about the flu season kicking off, nurse manager Michele Thompson said.
That’s around the time Franciscan Health began tracking a “slight increase” in flu cases at the network’s western Indiana hospitals, including Crawfordsville.
“That was enough for us to declare the start of the flu season, but not enough to impose or implement any visitor restrictions or that type of thing,” infection control manager Mirza Ali said.
Cases have since leveled off, thanks in part to mild weather. But the virus tends to spread as the mercury turns colder and Ali encouraged people to practice good hygiene such as frequent hand washing.
A mix of both common strains of the virus has shown up so far this season, mainly in children, Ali said. Most of the illnesses treated at Franciscan were outpatient cases.
No widespread flu activity has yet been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Last flu season was the deadliest in four decades, and the vaccine rate was the lowest in recent years.
Last year, 80,000 people in the U.S. died from the flu and 900,000 were hospitalized.
The CDC estimates 37.1 of Americans 18 and older received a flu shot last year, down 6.2 percent from the previous season.
A flu shot is recommended for everyone six months and older.
The timing, severity and length of the flu season vary, but the virus typically peaks in February, Ali said. It takes two weeks for the flu vaccine to kick in.
Flu shots are available at the free clinic for children under 19 who are eligible for Medicaid, uninsured or under-insured. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and by appointment from 3:45 to 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.
Free shots are offered for uninsured or under-insured adults and children weekdays at the Montgomery County Health Department.
Local pharmacies and primary care physicians also administer the vaccines.
