Rambo Health Clinic still has flu shots available

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The flu has caused an epidemic across the country. Now many people are wondering if it’s too late to get the shot. 

According to the CDC, 37 children across the U.S. have died from the flu since the season began in October. Gloria Brown, the director at Rambo Health Clinic, said this flu season has been particularly bad compared to flu seasons the past couple of years.

“They said the laboratory confirmed cases of the flu rose by nearly 12,000 during last week. The total thus far is like 86,000. That’s the ones they actually did the test on. That’s not, of course, everybody else because a lot of people have the flu but they don’t go to the hospital and don’t get the test done,” said Brown. 

Many people are now questioning whether or not it’s too late to get the shot and if health clinics have any supply left. Brown said Rambo still has about 400 vaccines left and that anyone six months or older should get one.

“Anybody with a chronic medical condition. People who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. And you’ve got to think of your caregivers too because your caregivers can come in and bring the flu germs with them,” said Brown. 

Andrea Retherford, a registered nurse at Rambo, agrees and said flu season won’t be over anytime soon.

“It is not too late. Although it takes 2 weeks for it to really become active in your body we still have many weeks ahead of us. Maybe 11, 12, 13 weeks ahead of us for the flu season itself. So it’s not too late. I would encourage anyone who has not gotten the flu shot that they would certainly think about it this week,” said Retherford. 

Brown said there are other things you can do to help keep yourself safe from the virus.

“If you feel sick stay home. If you have a temperature, if you’re coughing, if you’re aching, you know, stay home. Don’t share your germs. Washing your hands always is a good thing to do to help minimize the spread of the germs.”

You do not need an appointment to get a flu shot at Rambo. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $5 for Muskingum County residents and $20 for those who live outside of the county.