Health officials urge public to get latest COVID-19 booster, flu shot

Sturgis Journal
·3 min read
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COLDWATER — Residents can now get the latest COVID-19 booster and flu shots at their local Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency office.

The agency’s site is now accepting online appointments for the Pfizer booster, which is approved for ages 12 and older, and the Moderna booster, which is available for ages 18 and older. Residents must wait at least 60 days after receiving the last dose of the primary COVID-19 vaccine in order to receive the bivalent booster. Those who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine can receive a Pfizer or Moderna bivalent booster dose, as long as it has been two months since their last dose.

Flu shots, also available at the agency, are encouraged for anyone ages 6 months and older. They can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccine. Flu shots are free for those with Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurance plans. The health agency offers free vaccinations, through the Vaccines for Children program, to qualifying families with children who are 18 or younger who are not insured or whose insurance does not cover immunizations.

“While no vaccine is 100 percent effective at preventing illness, vaccines decrease the potential for serious illness, hospitalization and death," said Dr. Karen Luparello, medical director. "The bivalent booster dose provides another layer of protection from the Omicron variant, which had not been available before. “We continue to encourage residents to talk to their provider or one of our agency’s public health nurses if they have any questions about which vaccinations are right for them.”

In addition to vaccination, stopping the spread of germs is important for the prevention of flu, COVID-19 and the common cold. The following actions can keep germs at bay:

  • Avoid close contact with sick people.

  • While sick, stay home or limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must go out, consider wearing a mask to protect others from your illness.

  • The CDC recommends that COVID-19 positive people should stay home for five days. If diagnosed with the flu, stay home at least 24 hours after any fever is gone (except to get medical care or for other necessities).

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

To schedule a vaccination, call your local office and schedule an appointment or attend one of the agency's immunization clinics:

  • Branch County: Monday clinics; 517-279-9561, ext. 198

  • Hillsdale County: Wednesday clinics; 517-437-7395, ext. 398

  • St. Joseph County: Tuesday clinics; 269-273-2161, ext. 298

For more information, contact your local office, or visit the agency's Facebook page or Instagram pages: facebook.com/BHSJCHA, instagram.com/bhsj_healthagency.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Health officials urge public to get latest COVID-19 booster, flu shot