Telluride Med Center: Self-Care Should Include A Flu Shot

05 Oct Telluride Med Center: Self-Care Should Include A Flu Shot

Flu vaccines are available only while supplies last. Call the Telluride Medical Center, 970-728-3848, to book your appointment now. You snooze; you lose.

The Telluride Medical Center recently announced this year’s flu vaccines are now in stock.

“Flu vaccines are highly effective. Everyone, especially children, should get ahead of this year’s flu season by getting the latest vaccine,” said Paula Scheidegger, RN BSN and Primary Care Practice Manager at the Telluride Medical Center. “We spend a lot of time talking with patients about self-care and their goals for a healthy life. In addition to eating well, washing hands, exercise and proper nutrition, we should all look at vaccines as well.”

The Telluride Medical Center offers three flu vaccines doses at the clinic: a low dose for pediatrics; a ‘regular’ dose healthy adults; and a ‘high’ dose for people over 65.

The Med Center carries only one type of injection, the quadrivalent flu vaccine, designed to protect against four different flu viruses: two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. The shot is also preservative-free.

High-dose contains four times the antigen (the part of the vaccine that helps your body build up protection against flu viruses) of the standard-dose inactivated influenza vaccines. The higher dose of antigen in the vaccine is intended to give older people a better immune response, and therefore better protection.

The Telluride Medical Center offers regular flu shots for self-pay patients for $25; high dose flu shots for $60. For under-insured or un-insured patients, the Med Center offers financial services and free services for those who qualify.

Scheidegger encourages everyone in the community, aside from children younger then 6 months, to get a flu shot this season: “This is absolutely your best bet to staying healthy this season. You do not want to get the flu. Trust me!”

According to the CDC, influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness and, at times, can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold and usually comes on suddenly. Symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.