Every year, health officials advise that everyone age 6 months and older be vaccinated against the flu. Getting vaccinated not only helps protect you from the flu, it helps protect everyone you come in contact with.

Flu and COVID Vaccination at Winona Health

Those interested in getting vaccinated against flu or COVID-19 at Winona Health have several options to choose from.

Flu vaccination options:

  • Call 507.457.7648 to schedule a nurse-only visit.
  • Call 507.454.3650 to schedule an appointment with a Primary Care provider.
  • Receive your vaccination during a scheduled appointment with a healthcare provider.

When calling, please let the scheduler know which vaccine you’d like or if you would like to receive both vaccines.

Insurance will be filed, so attendees will be asked for their insurance information. Regular dose vaccine is available for those 6 months and older, Flublok® is available for people age 50 and older and high dose vaccine is available for those age 65 or older.

Please dress in clothing that will allow for quickly exposing the upper arm.

Getting vaccinated against the flu not only helps protect you from the flu, it helps protect others you come in contact with. If you are vaccinated and still get the flu, it’s likely your symptoms will be milder and shorter in duration than if you had not been vaccinated.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 6 months and older will also be available during the flu vaccination clinic and both vaccines can be given at the same time.

Questions? We have answers!

Yes, you can get your flu vaccination during an appointment with a provider.

You are welcome to call 507.457.7648 if you’d like to schedule your flu vaccine or you may walk in during our flu vaccination clinic hours. You can also get your flu vaccination during any scheduled appointment with a Winona Health provider.

Yes, flu vaccinations are entered into your Winona Health electronic medical record.

Yes, the high-dose vaccination is available at Winona Health.

You will be asked to provide your name, date of birth, address, phone number and insurance information.

Children 6 months through 8 years of age require two doses of flu vaccine for adequate protection from flu. Children in this age group getting vaccinated for the first time and those who have previously gotten one dose of vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine this season, spaced at least 4 weeks apart. (If unsure, please ask your primary care provider.)

If your child needs a second dose, AND the first dose was received during our vaccination clinic, please contact your provider about your child’s second dose.

Yes, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the flu vaccination clinic if you are under 18.

More Information

Influenza can range from being an uncomfortable inconvenience to being a severe illness. The healthcare team at Winona Health encourages the following habits to help you prevent getting or spreading colds or flu.

  • Cover you mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve rather than into your hands.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after coughing or sneezing, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you have young children, start early with teaching them to wash their hands and help them as necessary.
  • Wash your hands after returning home from work, shopping or any public place.
  • Use a sanitizing wipe on items in your car or home that are frequently touched such as cabinet and doorknobs, the refrigerator handle, phones (including cell phones), light switches, remote controls and keyboards.
  • Protect others: Do not visit people in the hospital or living in long-term care residences, and limit visiting other people and places if you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms.
  • Take care of yourself: Stay home, drink plenty of fluids and get more rest if you begin experiencing cold or flu symptoms. It’s not just good for you, it’s good for everyone else as well.

It’s natural for parents to be concerned when their child is ill, but how do you decide whether you should see your healthcare provider?

Give your child more time for rest when they are sick. If your child’s energy level is down and you think they’ll have a hard time focusing in class, it’s probably best to keep them home to rest and get plenty of fluids.

If your child has a severe sore throat, especially if accompanied by a fever, aches and upset stomach without other typical cold symptoms, call your primary care provider about getting a strep test.

Severe illness may warrant a visit to your primary care provider, the Urgent Care Clinic or the Emergency Department.

If you have concerns or if something doesn’t seem right, call your primary healthcare provider or bring your child to the Urgent Care Clinic or hospital Emergency Department.

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash

If you have concerns or if something doesn’t seem right, call your primary healthcare provider or bring your child to the Urgent Care Clinic or hospital Emergency Department.

Symptoms

Cold

Influenza
Fever Rare in adults & older children, but can be as high as 102o F in infants and small children Usually 102o F, but can go up to 104o F and usually lasts 3-4 days
Headache Rare Sudden onset & can be severe
Muscle aches Mild Usual & often severe
Tiredness & weakness Mild Can last 2 or more weeks
Extreme exhaustion Never Sudden onset & can be severe
Runny nose Often Sometimes
Sneezing Often Sometimes
Sore throat Often Sometimes
Cough Mild, hacking cough Usual & can become severe