COVID-19 vaccines and Flu Shots are Available at BHSJ CHA

Friday October 27, 2023

Residents are encouraged to protect themselves from this season’s respiratory illnesses

The 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines, and Flu vaccines are now available at your primary care provider’s office, local pharmacy, and Branch Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ CHA) office.  Residents are encouraged to protect themselves from this season’s respiratory illnesses by getting their COVID-19 and Flu vaccines early.

“While no vaccine is 100% effective at preventing illness, vaccines decrease the potential for serious illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines for Flu and COVID-19 provide another layer of protection. The current Flu and COVID-19 vaccines have been designed to provide protection from the currently circulating variants.” says Dr. Karen Luparello, Medical Director. “Now is a great time to schedule vaccination at our office, your primary care provider’s office, or local pharmacy. We continue to encourage residents to talk to their provider or one of our agency’s public health nurses if they have any questions about which vaccinations are right for them.”

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for individuals aged 6 months and older.  High dose influenza vaccine is recommended for those 65 years and older. You can choose to receive both Flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time, but it is not required. It must be 2 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose to be eligible for another COVID-19 dose.

With changes to COVID-19 vaccine, contact your insurance carrier to determine coverage and where you can get a vaccine at no cost. If COVID-19 vaccination is not covered by insurance, or you have no insurance, or there is a co-pay, call your local health department office to schedule an appointment.

BHSJ CHA has programs which may offer free vaccinations; Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for infants and children through age 18, and the CDC’s Bridge Access Program will cover COVID-19 vaccine for persons 18 and older. These programs are offered to qualifying families or individuals who are not insured, or whose insurance does not cover the cost of immunizations.

Currently, the agency can offer Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccine. Vaccine supply is limited, please call your local office and schedule an appointment.

Branch County: Monday Immunization clinics – call 517-279-9561 ext. 198

Hillsdale County: Wednesday Immunization clinics – call 517-437-7395 ext. 398

St. Joseph County: Tuesday Immunization clinics – 269-273-2161 ext. 298

In addition to vaccination, stopping the spread of germs is important for the prevention of Flu, COVID-19, and the common cold. The following actions can keep germs at bay:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• While sick, stay home or limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must go out, consider wearing a mask to protect others.

• The CDC recommends that you stay home 5 days with confirmed COVID-19. Stay home at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, without the use of a fever-reducing medication, except to get medical care or for other necessities.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is committed to promoting wellness, preventing disease, providing health care, and protecting the environment.