REMSA Offers Flu Shots to 100 Washoe County Homebound Citizens
REMSA announces that it is offering flu shots, free of charge to 100 Washoe County adult citizens that are homebound. Beginning October 1, 2019, citizens that meet the following criteria are encouraged to call 775-353-0807 to make an appointment to receive a free flu shot. Community members will be scheduled for a flu shot appointment on a first-come, first-served, medically-eligible basis.
Eligibility Criteria
- Resides within REMSA’s main service area of Reno-Sparks-Washoe County
- Is an adult (18 years or older)
- Has not already received a 2019/2020 flu season vaccine
- Does not have suspected interaction or contraindication with the standard injectable flu vaccine
- Is homebound (having an illness or injury that restricts the ability to leave the place of residence)
For eligible participants in the program, flu shots will be administered by REMSA’s Registered Nurses at the participant’s place of residence. There is no charge.
“Each year thousands of people in the United States die from the flu and many more are hospitalized,” said Jenny Wilson, Medical Director, REMSA. “As the region’s mobile healthcare provider, we saw an opportunity to improve the health of the communities we serve by offering flu shots to people who may not easily be able to access healthcare outside the home.”
“There might be a misconception that homebound individuals have a lower likelihood of contracting the flu since their interactions with the public are limited,” said Wilson. “This is inaccurate for a variety of reasons. The bottom line is that everyone six months of age and older should get vaccinated every flu season.”
According to the CDC, flu is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. Anyone can get the flu, but it is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions or weakened immune systems are at greatest risk of flu complications. Flu can cause fever and chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache and runny or stuffy nose. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
The best ways to prevent the spread of flu are to get a flu vaccine, avoid close contact with sick people, stay home if you are sick with flu like-symptoms, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands often with soap and water, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
The homebound flu shots program is made possible in partnership with the Washoe County Health District.
For Spanish-language information on REMSA’s Homebound Flu Shot program and how to prevent the spread of flu, click here.
