2023-2024 Flu Season
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months of age and older receive an annual influenza (flu) vaccine (often called flu shot) by the end of October. Flu viruses typically spread in fall and winter, with activity peaking between December and February. Flu vaccination can lower the chances of getting the flu, reduce the severity of illness, and reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalizations.
Vaccination of people at higher risk of developing serious flu complications is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. People at higher risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease), and people 65 years and older.
For the 2023-2024 flu season, Brunswick County Health Services is offering the regular quadrivalent flu vaccine (for everyone ages 6 months and older) and the high-dose flu vaccine (recommended for everyone ages 65 years and older).
Vaccination Clinics
Flu Clinic at Brunswick County Health Services
Starting October 2nd, people can get vaccinated at Brunswick County Health Services (Building A) – 25 Courthouse Drive NE, Bolivia, 28422. The clinic will operate by appointments Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 910-253-2276 to make an appointment.
Community Flu Vaccination Clinics (2023 Schedule)
Appointments are not required at the community clinics.
Thursday, Oct. 5 / Indian Trail Meeting Hall
113 W Moore Street, Southport, NC 28461
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 9 /Southport Community Building
223 E Bay Street Southport, NC 28461
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 16 / Town Creek Park Community Building
6420 Ocean Highway East, Winnabow, NC, 28479
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 25 / Waccamaw Park Community Building
5855 Waccamaw School Rd. NW, Ash, NC 28420
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3 / Cedar Grove Baptist Church
1229 Cedar Grove Road SW, Supply, NC 28462
Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 16 / Mulberry Community Center
149 Mulberry Street, Shallotte, NC 28470
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What to Bring
- Photo ID and insurance cards, if available. Health Services accepts cash, checks, Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance. If you are unsure about your insurance, call 910.253.2354 for assistance.
- Optional forms to prepare and bring to your appointment:
*If you need curbside assistance, please have someone with you who can come to one of the vaccination staff on site to let them know you are there and that you need curbside assistance. This will allow staff to make the arrangements needed to register you and vaccinate you via curbside service.
Three Steps to Fight the Flu
1. Get Vaccinated
Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of serious complications from influenza. A full listing of people at Higher Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications is available.
Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, visits to doctor’s offices, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as make symptoms less severe and reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.
Read more here: 2023-2024 CDC Flu Vaccination Recommendations Adopted | CDC
2. Take Preventive Actions
Take time to get a flu vaccine.
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
Flu vaccines help to reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system each year. (Read more about flu vaccine benefits.)
Take everyday preventive actions that are recommended to reduce the spread of flu.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
Cover coughs and sneezes. (Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.)
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu.
For flu, CDC recommends that people stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Click here to read more.
3. Get Treatment
Most people with flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.
If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are at increased risk for complications, are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider. Your health care provider may prescribe antiviral drugs to help treat flu illness. CDC recommends prompt early treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu who are at higher risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
Read More: Treatment: What You Need to Know | CDC
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