The Bryan County Health Department will begin offering flu vaccine on Monday, Sept. 24.

Regular flu shots are $29 and high-dose flu shots – made especially to protect those 65 and older – are $55. Cash, checks, credit cards, most major insurances, Medicaid and Medicare will be accepted.

The flu can cause mild to severe illness and getting the flu vaccine can offer protection from the virus. Every flu season is different and it is never know how bad a flu season is going to be or how long it’s going to last, which is why it is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older get the flu vaccine every year.

It takes about two weeks after getting a flu shot for the vaccine to provide the body protection against the flu. While getting the flu vaccine can help to prevent the flu, there are other things we can all do every day to prevent getting or spreading the flu:

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• Those who get sick with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. The fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.

• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

• Try to cough or sneeze into the corner of the elbow or into a tissue rather than into a hand. Throw the tissue in the trash afterward.

• Wash hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

For more information or to download the consent form ahead of time, go to www.gachd.org/bryanflu.