MCC, together with Walgreens and FamilyWize, will provide flu shots at no cost for uninsured and underinsured MCC students on Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 19-20, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Gerber Lounge. All others should bring an insurance card and an ID. Muskegon community members ages 7 and up are also invited to participate.
“Flu outbreaks can happen as early as October,” said Pam Brown, the MCC Nursing Program director. “This event encourages our students who might not otherwise be able to get a flu shot to do so. We want our students to be healthy and successful, and this is one effective way they can do that at no cost.”
This event, along with others scheduled throughout the Muskegon community this month, is the result of several organizations coming together – Muskegon County, FamilyWize, Mercy Health Muskegon, The Health Project, Muskegon Community College and local Walgreens pharmacies. The goal is to ensure the entire Muskegon community is aware of the importance of getting their flu vaccine and to remove barriers for those who may not otherwise receive a vaccine.
An estimated average 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population annually gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This season’s annual flu vaccine will protect against the influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses, all of which can cause the flu virus. Some seasonal flu vaccines known as “quadrivalent” flu vaccines will be formulated to protect against four flu viruses, including an additional influenza B virus. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year to protect against the flu virus.
Influenza, or “the flu,” is an easy-to-spread viral infection. Symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, aches and fatigue. It can be hard to tell the difference between the flu and a common cold. Symptoms are similar, but they are more severe with the flu and can also result in other serious health problems. If you have symptoms, see a healthcare provider to determine if you have the flu or a cold.