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JACKSON – Effective Sept. 25, the Northampton County Health Department is administering influenza (flu) shots during regular business hours (8:30 am – 5 pm).

Walk-ins are welcome.

The Northampton County Health Department accepts Medicare, Medicaid, BlueCross BlueShield, MedCost and Cigna insurances. Without accepted insurances, the vaccine will cost $35.

Influenza is a serious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, shaking, chills, body aches, and extreme weakness.

Flu is very contagious and is spread by an infected person coughing, sneezing, or even just talking around you. In fact, even if an individual has a very mild case, it can still be passed on to family members, friends, and coworkers who could get very sick or die. The virus is very serious and, tragically, people of all ages die from influenza each year.

Flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect against flu and is recommended for anyone over 6 months old. It is particularly important for people at high risk of complications, including pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, young children, and the elderly. Your vaccination also protects people around you that are unable to be vaccinated, including babies who are too young to be vaccinated.

Benefits of seasonal flu vaccine Include:

Reduces hospitalization and death;

Reduces severity of illness in hospitalized individuals;

Reduces risks for major cardiac events;

Reduces loss of independence in adults; and

Protects pregnant women and their babies.

For more information, call the Northampton County Health Department at 252-534-5841.