What's Worse: The Flu or the Vaccine?

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- Flu season means time to decide whether to get the flu vaccine or not.

"There's some people that are quite afraid of vaccines," said Doctor Robert Welliver, the Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at OU.

A small percentage of people choose not to get vaccinated for fear of adverse reactions, but many doctors say the argument isn't a strong enough reason not to get vaccinated.

"It keeps you from getting an illness that at a minimum keeps you out of work for four or five days and at a maximum could threaten your life," said Dr. Welliver.

Side effects can happen, but Dr. Welliver says they are rare, "the first time you get the inactivated influenza vaccine you can get a little muscle ache and feel like you've caught the flu from that, but it's uncommon."

The Oklahoma City County Health Department now offers flu shots and nasal sprays. The flu shot is a killed virus while the nasal spray is a live virus.

OCCHD's immunization clinic is located at 921 N.E. 23rd Street in Oklahoma City.

Vaccination clinic hours are:

           Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday - 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
           Wednesday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
           Friday - 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
The clinic is open during the lunch hour and appointments are not required for general immunizations.
The flu vaccination costs $25 with the exception of the high-dose shot, which costs $27.  OCCHD provides flu vaccinations at no charge to individuals or families who qualify for fee waivers through a variety of programs. Those eligible include:

 Families with income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level
Seniors who are on Medicare and not covered by a managed care option
Children who have no health insurance, or are on SoonerCare or are Native American or Alaskan natives, or children whose insurance does not cover vaccines

Documentation of eligibility is required for fee waivers.  Individuals should bring a photo ID, and all documentation must include the name of the person seeking vaccination fee waivers. Eligibility documents may include:

Most recent pay stub or 2011 Income Tax Return

WIC (Women, Infants and Children nutrition program) card

SNAP Food Stamp benefits Access card

Proof of enrollment in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

Proof of enrollment in SSI Disability assistance

Medicaid card, Sooner Care or Medicare card

Homeless shelter services card

OCCHD cannot bill health insurance for individual vaccinations, but some insurance companies may reimburse members who provide receipts. OCCHD will accept cash, check and credit cards for payment.
What's Worse: The Flu or the Vaccine?

Posted: Tuesday, October 2 2012, 09:41 PM CDT