FOR EVERYONE:
Transylvania Public Health is now offering flu shots for 2016-2017.
The flu can be serious, especially in young children and older adults. It can cause fever, headache, extreme tiredness and body aches. Flu is very contagious and people can be sick for a week or more.
The single best way to help prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all people (ages 6 months and up) be vaccinated against the flu. The seasonal flu shot protects against the three or four influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Only injectable flu shots are recommended for use this season, and FluMist will not be offered by Transylvania Public Health for 2016-2017.
Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications, including children younger than 5, and especially children younger than 2 years old, adults 65 years of age and older, women who are pregnant or have recently given birth, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, and people who have medical conditions such as asthma, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system due to disease or medication.
Flu shots at Transylvania Public Health cost $41, but some people are eligible to receive flu vaccine at no cost, and we may be able to file with your insurance provider so you will have no out-of-pocket cost.
VACCINE COST AND BILLING INFORMATION
The flu vaccine costs $41. Many private insurance carriers cover vaccines at 100% and children who have no insurance, Medicaid, or Health Choice receive flu vaccine at no cost.
If you or your child has insurance coverage through Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Health Care, we can file a claim on your behalf for vaccinations. Please note that Aetna, Humana, and United Health Care consider Transylvania Public Health to be an out-of-network provider. You will receive an invoice for the amount not covered by insurance.
If you have a different private insurance carrier, we will accept payment via check made payable to Transylvania Public Health. We will provide a receipt for you to claim reimbursement from your insurance carrier. Payment must be received before the flu vaccine can be given.
To get your flu shot, just walk in to the 3rd floor clinic on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or call (828) 884-3135 to make an appointment for other days of the week.
FOR OLDER ADULTS:
Transylvania Public Health encourages older adults to request a “high-dose” flu shot instead of the “regular” flu vaccine. High-dose vaccines are designed specifically for people 65 years and older.
Human immune defenses become weaker with age, which places older people at greater risk of severe illness from influenza. Also, ageing decreases the body’s ability to have a good immune response after getting influenza vaccine.
High-dose vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody) contained in regular flu shots. A higher dose of antigen in the vaccine is supposed to give older people a better immune response, and therefore, better protection against flu.
VACCINE COST AND BILLING INFORMATION
The flu vaccine costs $41. Many private insurance carriers cover vaccines at 100%.
If you have insurance coverage through Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Health Care, we can file a claim on your behalf for vaccinations. Please note that Aetna, Humana, and United Health Care consider Transylvania Public Health to be an out-of-network provider. You will receive an invoice for the amount not covered by insurance.
If you have a different private insurance carrier, we will accept payment via check made payable to Transylvania Public Health. We will provide a receipt for you to claim reimbursement from your insurance carrier. Payment must be received before the flu vaccine can be given.
You can receive a high-dose flu vaccine at our 3rd floor clinic on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or by calling (828) 884-3135 to make an appointment for other days of the week.
FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES:
Transylvania Public Health offers FREE flu shots for full-time and part-time employees, spouses and dependent children (ages 6 months and up) on the employee’s health insurance plan. (Although flu shots are also available at retail locations and doctors’ offices, there is a cost to the county’s insurance plan and the employee is responsible for any fees.)
Our annual flu shot clinic for county employees and families was held Wednesday, September 28.
If you missed the clinic, come by our 3rd floor clinic on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or call (828) 884-3135 to make an appointment for other days of the week.
FOR STUDENTS:
Transylvania Public Health is partnering with Transylvania County Schools and Brevard Academy to offer flu shots to students at school. Please note that only injectable flu shots are recommended for use this season, and FluMist will not be offered by Transylvania Public Health or Hendersonville Pediatrics for 2016-2017.
VACCINE COST AND BILLING INFORMATION
The flu vaccine costs $41. Many private insurance carriers cover vaccines at 100% and children who have no insurance, Medicaid, or Health Choice receive flu vaccine at no cost.
If you or your child has insurance coverage through Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and United Health Care, we can file a claim on your behalf for vaccinations. Please note that Aetna, Humana, and United Health Care consider Transylvania Public Health to be an out-of-network provider. You will receive an invoice for the amount not covered by insurance.
If you have a different private insurance carrier, we will accept payment via check made payable to Transylvania Public Health. We will provide a receipt for you to claim reimbursement from your insurance carrier. Payment must be received before the flu vaccine can be given.
Middle and high schoolers with a signed permission form will receive flu vaccine during the school day at clinics to be held at each school in October. Permission forms must be returned to school by October 10.
Elementary school students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and will receive flu vaccine at clinics scheduled at each school from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the dates listed below.
Elementary School Flu Vaccine Clinic Dates
- Brevard Academy: October 17
- Brevard Elementary: October 18
- Pisgah Forest Elementary: October 20
- Rosman Elementary: October 25
- TC Henderson Elementary: October 27