HMH Foundation Festival set for November 20th

Votes need for Wellmark Grant

Horn Memorial Hospital applied for a Wellmark Foundation Kickstarter Grant for $10,000 to provide bike racks to every town in Ida County.  A large factor in determining the winners of this grant is through public votes.  We are asking the community to spread this message and VOTE for the Ida County Pedal & Park project!  Voting starts September 23 and ends October 7.  You can vote every day, but only one vote from an ISP address is allowed.  If you have multiple email addresses, you can vote from each address.  Please SHARE this information with others because votes can come from around the world.  The more votes, the better our chances! Please go to www.wellmark.com/Foundation and vote for the Ida County Pedal & Park project. Thank you for your help!

Horn Memorial Community Health Offers Flu Clinics

Now is the time to prepare for the flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.  Horn Memorial Community Health will be offering Community flu shots clinics:

• Wednesday, October 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Ida Grove Community Hall
• Thursday, October 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Battle Creek Community Center
• Friday, October 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Galva at The Meeting Place  
• Friday, October 9 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Holstein Methodist Church
• Thursday, October 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Arthur Evangelical Free Youth Building

Clinics are available for individuals 19 years and older.  A Medicare card or Medicare Advantage Plan card is required.   Private pay shots are $31.00.  If you are homebound and would like to receive the flu shot, please call Horn Memorial Community Health at 364-7311.

Flu shots may fall under your health insurance coverage.  Check your benefits to see if flu shots are covered.  If you're still not sure, just call the Customer Service number on the back of your ID card and they will be happy to help.  Call your doctor and schedule an appointment or visit a participating pharmacy.  While many pharmacies will accept your coverage, be sure to ask before you get your flu shot.

The flu is different from a cold.  Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.  The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue and though more common in children than adults vomiting and diarrhea. 

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual vaccination for all people ages 6 months and older who do not have a contraindication to the vaccine.

Some people refuse influenza vaccination because they believe they “got the flu” after receiving the vaccine in the past.  There are several reasons why this misconception persists: (1) Less than 1% of people who are vaccinated with the injectable vaccine develop flu-like symptoms, such as mild fever and muscle aches, after vaccination. These side effects are not the same as having influenza, but people confuse the symptoms. (2) Protective immunity doesn't develop until 1–2 weeks after vaccination. Some people who get vaccinated may get influenza shortly afterward. They develop influenza because they were exposed to someone with the virus before they became immune. It is not the result of the vaccination. (3) To many people "the flu" is any illness with fever and cold symptoms. If they get any viral illness, they may blame it on the flu shot or think they got "the flu" despite being vaccinated. Influenza vaccine only protects against certain influenza viruses, not all viruses. (4) The influenza vaccine is not 100% effective, especially in older persons. It is especially important to vaccinate pregnant women because of their increased risk for influenza-related complications. Vaccination can occur in any trimester, including the first. Only inactivated vaccine should be given to pregnant women. In addition, breastfeeding is not a contraindication for routine vaccination. People with cancer or a history of cancer should receive the seasonal flu shot.  Living with cancer increases your risk for complications from influenza. If a person has cancer now or has had cancer in the past, they are at higher risk for complications from the seasonal flu.  People who live with or care for cancer patients and survivors also should be vaccinated. Persons who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to a prior dose of influenza vaccine, or who are known to have a severe allergy to a vaccine component should not be vaccinated. Vaccination should be deferred for a person with moderate or severe acute illness until his/her condition improves. While the flu vaccine is the best defense against getting influenza, it’s also important to take personal actions to help prevent the spread of illness.  Remember the 3Cs: Cover your coughs and sneezes; Clean your hands frequently; and Contain germs by staying home when ill.