Buncombe Health Department: Get your (free) flu shot!

Press release

from the Buncombe County Health Department

As we approach the holidays, flu activity in North Carolina continues to rise above what would normally be seen this time of year. North Carolina has recently suffered its first two flu deaths this year, one of which was a Piedmont adult who had no pre-existing medical conditions that would indicate that they were at high risk for flu complications. The person had not received a flu vaccine. The Buncombe County Department of Health strongly recommends that anyone 6 months of age and above who has not yet received a flu vaccine be vaccinated now. These vaccines have just been made available at the Buncombe County Department of Health at no cost to anyone who is 6 months of age and above and does not have health insurance that will cover it.

Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone with a chronic illness should be especially vigilant about getting a flu vaccine because they are more likely to experience complications from flu. It is equally important that children in childcare and school have the vaccine since they are most likely to get and spread the illness.

Flu vaccines are available at the Department of Health and Human Services building, 40 Coxe Avenue in downtown Asheville (across the street from the bus terminal and post office). The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. No appointment is necessary. Those with health insurance are asked to bring their insurance card with them.

Flu vaccines are also available at:

Buncombe County Human Services West, 339 Leicester Hwy
Wednesdays from 8:30-5:00 and Thursdays from 8:00-12:00 noon

Black Mountain Methodist Church, 101 Church St., Black Mountain
1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 9:00-3:00

To assist the flu vaccine in keeping you well, remember that the one most important thing you can do besides getting a flu shot is to wash your hands carefully before you prepare food or eat, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, or any other time during the day that they may be soiled. After washing, use a towel to turn off the water and open the door to avoid picking up germs from others.

For more information about the flu, please visit the Buncombe County Flu website at www.buncombecounty.org/flu. You may also want to visit the CDC’s Influenza website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm.

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About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

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