Contact:
Tammy Yzaguirre
Lee-PIO@flhealth.gov
(239) 308-5196

Fort Myers, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is strongly encouraging all unvaccinated residents to get their flu shot as soon as possible. Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu and its potentially serious complications.

On September 17, DOH-Lee will begin offering both free influenza (flu) and Hepatitis A at all pop-up walk-up COVID-19 test sites.

The flu vaccine is available to anyone age 6 months and older. Anyone not feeling well will not receive the flu vaccine. The Hepatitis A vaccine is available to anyone age 18 and older.

Influenza Vaccine

The best time to receive a flu vaccine is before flu viruses begin spreading in the community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against flu so plan to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October.

According to CDC, getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however flu vaccination has many other important benefits. Last year’s vaccine may not protect against the current year’s strain. Even if the vaccine does not fully protect against the flu, the vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to help conserve potentially scarce health care resources.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter—even in microscopic amounts—from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by feces (stool) of an infected person.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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