There’s A Flu Shoot Out A Comin’ At The Cedar City Hospital

There's a shoot out coming this Saturday to Iron County, but no, you won't need chaps and a cowboy hat for this one. Despite the near summer like days we continue to have, the flu season will soon be here and the Southwest Utah Public Health Department is holding its annual “Flu Shoot Out” at the Cedar City Hospital.

Dave Heaton, Public Information Officer for the health department was on the radio with us this morning to explain why flu shoots are encouraged every year. “People end up losing their lives to either the flu directly or from things that it causes, like pneumonia or secondary infections,” Heaton said and added that most of the people effected are older. “Most of those folks are in our senior citizen age 65 or older, so they're usually the first ones to line up as part of their annual healthcare.”

The Flu Shootout will start at 9:00AM this Saturday and last until around 1:00PM. While some events have been a drive through situation, this year will see is happening inside the hospital. Heaton noted that will not be the only activity the public can participate in this year while at the hospital. “They're having their annual fall health fair, and they've been gracious enough to invite us in the past few years to come do our flu shootout on site at the hospital at their health fair. There'll be a lot of booths with health information screenings, you know health swag and what have you,” Heaton told us.

The flu shots are free with many common insurance programs including Medicare, Utah Medicaid, CHIP, and several private health insurance plans. If your insurance coverage doesn't cover the shot, out of pocket expenses start at $25.

You will need to bring your health insurance card, if you have one, along with identification. Also, you will need to fill out a consent form. You can link to that consent form here, if you want to save time on Saturday. Also, the health department recommends that you wear a short sleeve shirt. With the high temperature on Saturday forecast to be in the low 90's that shouldn't be a problem.

Heaton says now is the time to get the shot. “This is the time of year to get your flu shot mid-September up in to October is when you want to get this shot. It takes two or three weeks to build up the immunity that you want, then it lasts for several months up through our flu season, which typically peaks in January,” Heaton said.

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To help set the example, Dave also brought along Anna, a nurse with the health department, to offer to give us the vaccination. Chris had already had his shot, so that left me to be the guinea pig. It went off without a hitch, and that actually bothers me. In years past, we've been told that after the shot some can develop “flu like” symptoms. I've never had that happen to me, and I wish it would.

Daddy needs a day off...

You can listen to our podcast with Dave and Anna below.