Flu and Flu Vaccine Information
2023 Flu Vaccine available.
The Johnston County Public Health Department's 2023 Adult Influenza (FLU) Vaccine Clinic will continue everyday 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.
The Children's Influenza (FLU) Vaccine Clinic will be every Wednesday 9-11 a.m and 2-4pm. Patients must be 6 months or older to receive Influenza vaccine.
Adult vaccine will be given by appointment only. All forms of insurance will be filed. Costs for patients without insurance will be $25 for regular flu vaccine and $70 for high-dose vaccine (for patients 65 and older).
For more information visit www.johnstonnc.com/health or call the Health Department at 919-989-5200. The Health Department is located at 517 North Bright Leaf Boulevard in Smithfield.
Information about the Flu
Use the links below to learn more about the flu and the flu shots:
Influenza (Flu) Home Care Instructions For Patients
What are the emergency warning signs of flu sickness?
In children
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
- In addition to the signs above, get medical help right away for any infant who has
any of these signs:
- Being unable to eat
- Has trouble breathing
- Has no tears when crying
- Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal
In adults
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
What should I do while I’m sick?
- Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.
- CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as acetaminophen. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
Steps to Take if You Get the Flu
- If you get very sick, are pregnant, or are 65 years or older, or are otherwise at high risk of flu-related complications, call your doctor. You might need antiviral drugs to treat flu.
- Stay at home and rest.
- Avoid close contact with well people in your house so you won’t make them sick.
- Keep your child home from school, day care, or camp for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. (The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as 100°F (37.8°C) or higher.
- Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss (dehydration).
- If vomiting occurs, increase fluids as tolerated. Start with clear liquids 1 ounce every 10-15 minutes and increase as tolerated.
- For fever and or body aches, administer Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen as indicated on package instructions or call office for additional guidance with dosing. Do not give children Aspirin unless directed by your doctor.
- Gargle with warm salt water for sore throat.
When caring for people who have the flu:
- Avoid being face to face with the sick person. If possible, it is best to spend the least amount of time in close contact with a sick person.
- When holding sick children, place their chin on your shoulder so they will not cough in your face.
- Wash your hands often and right way after possible contamination.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Make sure to wash your hands after touching the sick person. Wash after handling their tissues or laundry.
REFERENCES
- CDC.gov/flu
- Telephone Triage Protocols for Nurses by Julie Briggs, 4th edition, 2012
Links marked with an asterisk (*) are in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF).
Page last updated on: September 15, 2023
