"The Key to a Good Offense...is Defense"

Flu vaccine now available for patients of all ages.

FluMist is available for patients age 2 to 49 years of age; flu shots for patients ages 6 months to 65 years of age; and a high-dose flu shot for those patients older than 65 years of age.

The flu shot is recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. Patients are advised to wear short sleeves and bring their insurance card.

Patients are encouraged to call (763) 263-7300 to schedule their flu shot during normal clinic hours.

Influenza Season 2011-12

You need a seasonal flu shot every year. Influenza can be a serious, even life-threatening illness. Flu vaccination can prevent serious illness and death.

• Influenza vaccination is now recommended for everyone 6 months and older unless they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
   
• Vaccinating those at high risk for serious complications from influenza is of special concern. These include pregnant women, seniors, young children and those with asthma, diabetes or other chronic conditions, people who live in nursing homes, severely obese persons, Native Americans and Alaska natives, and African Americans, Hispanics and other racial/ethnic minorities who continue to show vaccination coverage rates lower than whites.
   
• Vaccinating health care workers and household contacts of children under 6 months is also important to protect those around them.
   
• Vaccinating health care workers who care for the elderly and household contacts who live with or frequently visit the elderly is particularly important this year as we may see more severe influenza disease this year in the elderly as a result of the A/H3 strain that is circulating.
   
• Almost anytime is a good time to be vaccinated. Influenza vaccination is effective throughout the influenza season.
   
• It’s almost never too late to get a flu shot. Influenza typically continues to circulate in MN through April and into May, so vaccinating in December, January or even later provides protection and reduces the risk of serious illness.
  The flu vaccine is safe.
   
• Yes, it contains the H1N1 strain; all seasonal flu vaccines contain three strains; this is just one of the three strains included in this year’s vaccine. It is made the same way as past flu vaccines. With an average of 100 million doses used in the U.S. each year, flu vaccines have an excellent safety record.

For more information on influenza basics is on the
Minnesota Department of Health web site.

Make your flu shot appointment today at Big Lake Clinic
by calling 763-263-7300.

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