“Tu cita de salud” with Telemundo Reno and Community Health Alliance: Importance of Receiving Your Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines

Learn about the importance of getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Freixys Casado: Hello, friends! Freixys Casado welcomes you to another segment of Your Health Appointment (Tu cita de salud) with Community Health Alliance. Today, I am at the Sun Valley Health Center, and I am accompanied by Medical Director Dr. Maria Fernandez and Pharmacist Luis Martinez. Thank you very much for joining us. Today we will be talking about the flu vaccine. I want you to tell me about flu season and why we should be making our appointments for the vaccine?

Dr. Maria Fernandez: Flu season starts in the autumn, and goes until April. We see this virus that causes respiratory problems. It causes symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, fever, congestion, and can cause severe symptoms. To protect yourself and your family, we recommend a vaccine.

Luis Martinez: We also recommend making your flu vaccine appointment as soon as possible because the vaccine takes two weeks to create antibodies.

Freixys Casado: Studies have shown that the Latino community receives the flu vaccine at a lower rate and are hospitalized more frequently due to flu complications. I personally have heard from friends and family members who believe the vaccine makes people sick. Could you talk about that?

Luis Martinez: Yes, we’ve heard of this myth. The flu vaccine is inactive, so you can’t get the flu from it. The vaccine is safe for those six months and older. It is especially important for people who are at higher risk such as pregnant women, children, adults 65 years old or older, and people who have medical complications.

Freixys Casado: How can people access this vaccine at Community Health Alliance?

Luis Martinez: We offer the vaccine at our three pharmacies in Sparks, Sun Valley and Wells. We recommend making an appointment, but we also accept walk-ins, though you may have longer wait times. You do not have to be a Community Health Alliance patient to receive vaccines here. In our pharmacies, we can vaccinate adults and children five years or older.

Dr. Maria Fernandez: Also, if you are a patient of Community Health Alliance you can receive your vaccines during your medical appointments. If they are less than five years old, they cannot go to our pharmacy, but they can go to their doctor.

Freixys Casado: This is great information! I also understand that there are different vaccines for influenza. Can you explain?

Luis Martinez: Yes, we have regular doses and high doses for people who are 65 or older. Many health insurances cover the vaccine, but if you don’t have insurance, we offer the regular does for $20 and $60 for the high dose.

Freixys Casado: What steps we can take to protect ourselves and our family, not only for the flu, but for diseases?

Dr. Maria Fernandez: It is good to wash your hands because we are touching everything, and we can prevent diseases. Also, getting vaccinated against diseases that are appropriate for your age helps prevent infections.

Luis Martinez: We also offer the COVID-19 vaccine. Our pharmacy can only give the vaccine if you are five years old or older. For children under five years, you can see our providers and call for an appointment.

Freixys Casado: Thank you! You heard him, don’t wait too long. Call to make an appointment to protect yourself and your family. See you at the next segment of Your Health Appointment.

To make an appointment, call (775) 329-6300 or pre-register online.