December 17, 2004

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) will begin providing flu shots to people at high-risk of developing a serious case of influenza or influenza-related complications on Monday, Dec. 20.

At-risk people who are eligible to receive a flu vaccine include children aged 6 months old and 23 months old, adults age 65 and older, people with chronic health problems, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities and children and teens receiving long-term aspirin therapy and household members and out-of-home caregivers of infants under 6 months of age.

HDHHS will offer the vaccines at its seven health centers. To find the nearest health center people in the high-risk groups can, call 713-794-9267 or the city’s 311 information line or visit www.houstonhealth.org on the Internet.

HDHHS offers vaccines on a sliding scale basis. It is free to some clients while others pay $5 or $15.

Caused by different viruses, the flu is a contagious disease that results in symptoms such as fever, headache, tiredness, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat and body aches. Most people recover in one to two weeks, but some develop complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis and sinus and ear infections.