Jenn Wiederspohn and Ann Ruks at the senior flu shot clinic.
The Wrangell Medical Center held a flu shot clinic for Wrangell's senior citizens last Friday at Harbor Light Church. The clinic was open to community members aged 65 and older, who were able to come in and were able to receive a high-dosage flu vaccine.
An article on the medical center's website explained that, while receiving flu vaccinations are important for everyone, it is especially important for senior citizens. People over the age of 50, those with certain chronic medical conditions, and those who care for the elderly are at a higher risk of complications from the flu than others.
The high-dose vaccine is recommended for those over the age of 65, the article stated. The dose has four times the regular amount of antigens, which help the elderly develop antibodies to fight the flu.
The CDC recommends that everybody receive a flu shot by the end of October, before the flu season begins. According to information on their website, it can take about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body to fight the flu after receiving the vaccination.
The Wrangell Medical Center will hold a separate flu shot clinic for those under the age of 65 at a later date, when the proper vaccines are delivered. More information about flu season and flu vaccinations can be found at the CDC website, http://www.cdc.gov.
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