Flu vaccination offered in Northwest Wisconsin
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Mayo Clinic Health System will offer flu vaccination appointments to patients 6 months and older across Northwest Wisconsin, starting Oct. 4.
Patients can self-schedule a flu vaccination appointment now through Patient Online Services or the Mayo Clinic App. Self-scheduling flu vaccination appointments is recommended, as this prevents wait times on the phone and preserves resources for COVID-19 care.
Now more than ever, Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all people 6 months and older get vaccinated for the flu. Like COVID-19, influenza is a virus that causes respiratory illness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe or life-threatening. However, the two illnesses are not the same, and the CDC website outlines all differences between the two. The best way to protect yourself and others from getting flu is to get vaccinated each year.
Patients can ask to be vaccinated for flu ― and COVID-19 ― during an existing appointment with their primary care provider or can call to schedule a flu-only vaccination appointment at one of these Northwest Wisconsin clinic locations:
- Barron, 1222 E. Woodland Ave., 715-537-6747
- Bloomer, 1501 Thompson St., 715-568-2000
- Chetek, 220 Douglas St., 715-537-6747
- Chippewa Falls, 611 First Ave.,715-720-4400
- Eau Claire, 733 W. Clairemont Ave., 715-464-7468
- Menomonie, 2321 Stout Road, 715-233-7777
- Mondovi, 700 Buffalo St., 715-926-4858
- Osseo, 13025 Eighth St. (use Seventh Street entrance), 715-597-3121
- Rice Lake, 331 S. Main St., 715-537-6747
Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, have respiratory symptoms or are under quarantine should delay being vaccinated for flu until they are no longer ill and their quarantine period is over.
A parent or guardian will need to self-schedule a flu vaccination appointment for patients 6 months to 12 years old using caregiver access to the child's account. Patients 13–17 will need to have their own Patient Online Services accounts to schedule a flu vaccination appointment. When making an appointment, note that children 6 months to age 8 need two flu vaccinations if it's the child's first seasonal flu vaccination. The second vaccination is given at least four weeks from the date of the first.
Many insurance plans cover the cost of seasonal flu vaccination. Mayo Clinic Health System will bill insurance or accept payment.
After getting vaccinated for flu, it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies to protect against flu. That's why vaccination is recommended in early fall. If you are sick, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading illness to others.
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Press Contact
Dan Leae-mail: lea.dan@mayo.edu
phone: 715-838-6405