FLORIDA HEALTH IN MONROE ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO STAY FLU FREE THIS SEASON BY GETTING THE FLU SHOT

Monroe County, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) wants to encourage all Floridians to do their part to prevent getting seasonal flu and spreading it to others by getting the flu vaccine. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu so it is important to get your flu shot early.

Flu strains change from year to year so it is important to get the flu shot this year even if you got one last year. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. Receiving the flu vaccine can help prevent the flu virus from spreading to our most vulnerable populations, including older adults, pregnant women, and people who have certain medical conditions like asthma and a compromised immune system.

Flu vaccines are offered at many locations, including doctor’s offices, clinics, pharmacies, health centers, and at the health department. DOH-Monroe offers the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which is designed to protect against four different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. If interested in receiving the flu vaccine at one of DOH-Monroe’s clinics, please call ahead to schedule an appointment:

DOH-Monroe Clinics Please call to schedule an appointment
Key West, Gato Building,

1100 Simonton Street

Key West, FL

 (305) 809-5680 for childhood vaccine

(305) 809-5280 for adult vaccine
Marathon, Ruth Ivins Center

3333 Overseas Highway

Marathon, FL

 (305) 289-2708
Tavernier, Roth Building

50 Highpoint Road

Tavernier, FL

 (305) 853-7400

It is also essential to practice good hygiene by properly and frequently washing your hands to help prevent the spread of seasonal flu. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office. You can take additional steps to ward off the flu by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoiding touching your face.

For more information, visit www.FluFreeFlorida.com.

Attached Photo Chiefleeflu.jpg:   Key West Police Chief, Donie Lee, receives the flu shot for this year’s flu season at the Key West Police Department, administered by TalleyAnne Reeb, RN for the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County last Thursday. (Photo used by permission by Alyson Crean).

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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