Additional Supply of Flu Vaccine For Children At McHenry County Health Department

McHenry County Department of Health has received an additional supply of injectable flu vaccine for children 6 months – 18 years of age through the state-funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.  Medicaid is accepted; for non-Medicaid children that meet VFC criteria, the cost is $15.  FluMist, an intranasal form of the vaccine, is available for children over the age of 2.  Appointments are required at 815-334-4500 for the following clinics –  

           

2200 N Seminary Avenue, Woodstock	100 N Virginia Street, Crystal Lake
November 15, 8am-10:30am	November 18, 1pm-3:30pm
	November 19, 1pm-3:30pm

Children over 9 years of age should receive one flu shot. Children 6 months – 8 years who:

- received 1 dose H1N1 & 2 doses seasonal vaccine in 2009 – 1 dose needed this year

- did not receive any H1N1 vaccine in 2009 – 2 doses needed this year

- have never received flu vaccine (H1N1 or seasonal) – 2 doses needed this year

- 2009 was first year to receive seasonal vaccine but had only 1 dose – 2 doses needed

Vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting your family.  In a survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Disease, the top reasons cited by mothers in favor of childhood influenza vaccination were a desire to protect their families (96%), community (95%) and children with underlying health issues (95%).  Children younger than 5 are at highest risk of serious flu complications including hospitalizations and death as compared to older children.

The VFC Program is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) largest public-private partnership, ensuring that all eligible children receive the benefits of newly recommended vaccines, thereby strengthening immunity levels in their communities.  Eligible children include those from 6 months of age to 18 years (accompanied by parent or guardian), all Kids/Public Aid recipients, families without insurance and families whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccinations. Parents must bring current vaccination records as well as any documentation of H1N1 vaccine received in 2009.  

For more information about the flu, call 815-334-4510 or visit www.mcdh.info.