El Paso Health Department Says ‘Get Flu Shots Early’

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health is doing it's annual push for flu shots. Officials say everyone six months old and older should get vaccinated to protect themselves from getting the flu. Health Department officials say the flu vaccination is particularly important for pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with chronic health conditions. Those people are more likely to get severe complications from the flu.

The Department of Health has flu vaccines available for patients 6 months to 18 years of age. You can get them from DPH Immunization Centers for $10 per dose.

For patients, age 6 months through 18 years, to be eligible to receive Texas Vaccines For Children (TVFC) immunizations at the Department of Public Health Clinics, they must meet one of the eligibility criteria listed below:

· Medicaid eligible
· Uninsured: a child without health insurance coverage
· American Indian or Alaskan Native
· Enrolled in CHIP
· Underinsured - A child who has private health insurance, but coverage does not include vaccines.

Adults over the age of 19 can get the flu shot beginning on October 12, but you need to 915-212-6555 to schedule an appointment.

The El Paso Fire and Health Department’s “Vaccinations for Health” program will also provide free influenza vaccines along with various screenings to patients 18 and older on these days and at these locations:
· Saturday Oct. 1: Station 17, 8803 Alameda Ave., 8-11 a.m.
· Wednesday Oct. 5: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1-6 p.m.
· Wednesday Oct. 12: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1-6 p.m.
· Saturday Oct. 15: Station 18, 7901 San Jose Rd., 8-11 a.m.
· Wednesday Oct. 19: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1-6 p.m.
· Wednesday Oct. 26: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1-6 p.m.