Did you know? The updated flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for 2024-2025 are now available at Southern Nevada Health District clinics. You can receive both vaccines at the same time. The Health District and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone eligible get their updated vaccinations to help protect against severe illness from COVID-19 and the flu this respiratory season.
Flu Vaccine Recommendations
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. It is especially important for those at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu. This includes people 65 years of age and older, as well as people with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and compromised immune systems. It is also important to protect people more likely to be exposed to both flu and COVID-19, including health care workers and essential workers who frequently interact with the public. A complete list of people at higher risk is available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm.
Eighty-eight deaths and 1,403 hospitalizations were attributed to influenza in Clark County during the 2023-2024 season, far more than the 2022-2023 flu season, which recorded 48 deaths and 859 hospitalizations. During the 2023-2024 season, 47.8% of the flu hospitalizations and 79.5% of the deaths were persons 65 years of age or older.
The CDC recommends getting vaccinated before flu viruses begin spreading in the community. This is because it takes about two weeks for the antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu. However, people can be vaccinated anytime during flu season.
COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get at least one dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine, including people who have received a vaccine previously and people who have had COVID-19 The two mRNA vaccines, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The updated vaccines are expected to work well against currently circulating variants of COVID-19.
According to the CDC, the virus that causes COVID-19 is always changing, and protection from COVID-19 vaccines declines over time. Updated vaccines provide the best protection from the strains of the virus that are currently circulating.
Most health plans, including private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans, cover the COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Uninsured children and adults also have access through the Vaccines for Children Program and State 317 Adult Vaccine Program, respectively.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available at Health District public health centers by appointment. To make an appointment, visit www.snhd.info/immunizations or call (702) 759-0850. Clinic locations include:
- Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107
- East Las Vegas Public Health Center, 2950 E. Bonanza Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89107
- Fremont Public Health Center, 2830 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV 89104
- Boulevard Mall (in El Mercado), 3528 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89169
- Henderson Public Health Center, 220. E. Horizon Dr., Suites, A & C, Henderson, NV 89015
- Mesquite Public Health Center/Jimmie Hughes Campus, 150 N. Yucca St., Suites, 3&4, Mesquite, NV 89027
For more information about Health District public health center hours, locations and available services, go to www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/about-us/maps/. COVID-19 and flu vaccines are also available at pharmacies and healthcare provider offices throughout Southern Nevada. To locate a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, visit www.snhd.info/covid-vaccine.
The Health District is also recommending preventive measures to help people mitigate the spread of flu, COVID and other respiratory viruses:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and running water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay home when sick and limit contact with others.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue away after using it.
- Take a COVID-19 test if flu-like symptoms develop.
- Take antiviral drugs for flu if prescribed by a doctor.
For more information about respiratory illnesses, visit www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/about/index.html.