Beginning September 23rd
Flu and pneumonia shots will be available to the public at VNA-TIP offices in Southern Illinois on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. beginning September 23rd.   The office locations are
TIP Hospice, 125 Leigh Drive, Anna
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 1107 W. Church Street, Benton
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 1151 Kane Street, Carlyle
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 1809 W. McCord, Centralia
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 235 16th Street, Cairo
TIP Hospice, 508 S. Park Street, Herrin
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 1504 Main Street, Highland
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 4501 W. DeYoung Street, Marion
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 727 E. 12th Street, Metropolis
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 738 N. Market Street, Mt. Carmel
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 707 E. Walnut Street, Murphysboro
VNA-TIP HomeCare, 15 N. Main Street, Pinckneyville
Although the weather now is warm and pleasant, the chilly wet days of influenza season are just around the corner.  Now is the time to get protection against the miseries of the flu by getting a flu shot.
Both influenza, commonly called "the flu," and pneumococcal infections including pneumonia cause significant health risks, especially for seniors.  
The flu is the cause of 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States each year and there are 36,000 flu-related deaths annually.  There are an estimated 175,000 hospitalizations due to pneumonia in the U.S. each year.  Pneumococcal infections cause 5,000 deaths annually.  
Both influenza and pneumococcal infections, however, are preventable by getting a vaccination.
To have protection from the flu, a vaccination must be received every year.  This is because the antibodies produced after vaccination decline over time and because the influenza viruses are continually changing.  This year's flu vaccine includes antigens for A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus; A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus; and B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.
These are the viruses the national Centers for Disease Control have indicated are likely to circulate in the United States this winter.
The vaccination cannot cause the flu because the serum does not contain a live virus.  Common side effects of the immunization are soreness at the site of the injection and, possibly, a low fever.  The potential risks associated with the flu are much greater than the mild risks or discomfort associated with the vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control suggest that all Americans can benefit from a flu shot, but they especially target these groups because of the increased risk of complications:
• people age 50 and over
• residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities
• adults and children with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or HIV/AIDS, and those whose immune systems are weakened by treatments like chemotherapy
• women who will be pregnant during the flu season
• children six months to five years of age.
The CDC also recommends flu shots for people who can give the flu to others who are at high risk. 
This would include health care workers, people who work with or care for the elderly or very young, and people who live with anyone in a high risk group, including the elderly and children under five years of age. 
People aged 50-64 are targeted for flu shots because this age group has many members with high-risk conditions. 
Workers who provide essential community services, students who live in dormitories, and people who will be traveling outside the country are also encouraged to get flu shots.
The target groups for pneumonia shots are all persons age 65 or over and adults and children who have chronic illnesses. 
Pneumonia immunizations are not needed every year.   Revaccination is indicated if it has been more than five years since the initial vaccination and the person was under age 65 at the time of initial vaccination.
Medicare B covers both flu and pneumococcal immunizations.  If a senior has Medicare as primary insurance and presents the Medicare card, VNA-TIP will bill Medicare directly. 
VNA-TIP can also bill GHP Advantra, Mercy Premier,  Humana Gold Choice, and Unicare Security Choice insurance plans.  For all others, cash payment will be accepted and a receipt will be issued to the recipient for submission for insurance reimbursement. 
Flu shots are $30 and pneumonia shots are $45.
VNA-TIP is the largest provider of flu shots in Southern Illinois and has scheduled flu clinics at public sites and work locations throughout the area. 
Anyone wishing to schedule a flu clinic at a business, church, community organization or event may contact 866-808-8168. 
In addition to the immunization program, VNA-TIP provides home health services, home infusion, hospice, private duty, and Lifeline personal response service. 
For more information go to www.vnatip.com.