WHAT’S NEWS IN WEST MIFFLIN
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
INFLUENZA VACCINE
CLINIC OPEN
The Allegheny County Health
Department is offering seasonal flu and
high-dose flu immunizations. The vaccines
are available at the walk-in immunization
clinic located at 425 First Avenue,
Pittsburgh, 15219. Residents should enter
the building via Cherry Way and proceed to
the fourth floor.
The immunization clinic will be open
weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for
Wednesdays, when the clinic’s hours will be
1 to 8 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
Influenza is a highly contagious upper
respiratory infection that can cause mild to
severe illness and is potentially fatal. Getting
an annual flu vaccine is recommended for
everyone 6 months of age and older. ACHD
will again offer the high-dose vaccine this
year. The high-dose flu vaccine is four times
more concentrated than the regular flu shot,
and is available only for seniors 65 years of
age and older.
The price of the regular seasonal flu shot
for individuals with insurance is $26. The
high-dose flu shot price is $52.
The flu vaccine is often a covered benefit
and you can receive the flu shot for free at
many locations around the county; however,
ACHD reminds residents to make sure to
check with their insurance provider prior to
getting the flu shot.
At a later date, a limited supply of flu
vaccine will be available, at no cost, to
uninsured and underinsured residents of
Allegheny County. Please call 412.578.8060
for the most up-to-date information about
this program.
For more information on Influenza, visit
achd.net/flu.
ACHD OFFERS TIPS FOR
PROTECTION AGAINST
CARBON MONOXIDE
As another heating season begins, the
Allegheny County Health Department
reminds residents of the danger of carbon
monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless
and tasteless gas that is the byproduct of
incomplete combustion of a fuel. Hundreds
of people die each year nationwide from
accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, but
most deaths could be prevented through
greater awareness and education.
ACHD strongly encourages the use
of carbon monoxide detectors. They are
extremely helpful and
can be purchased
at most stores
that carry home
supplies. They
can be lifesavers;
however, detectors
are no substitute
for regular furnace
maintenance.
Carbon monoxide
poisoning may include
any of the following symptoms: headaches,
dizziness, weakness, nausea, rapid
heartbeat, loss of hearing, blurry vision,
vomiting, disorientation, seizures, loss of
consciousness, coma, respiratory failure and
cardiac arrest. Anyone who believes they are
experiencing these symptoms due to carbon
monoxide poisoning should leave the
premises and immediately call 9-1-1.
Everyone is at risk, but individuals with
health problems such as heart or lung
diseases, the elderly, infants, children and
pregnant women are especially vulnerable.
For a free educational brochure about the
dangers of carbon monoxide, visit achd.net/
injury/pubs/pdf/CO_Update.pdf.
LIFESPAN’S EIGHTH
ANNUAL ‘SWEET
HOLIDAY WISHES’
COOKIE CAMPAIGN
Help provide local seniors with a holiday
tradition they love! Simply donate 2 to 3
dozen homemade holiday cookies at your
8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | West Mifflin
local LifeSpan Senior Community Center
or Meals on Wheels kitchen no later than
Friday, Dec. 15.
The organization seeks 365 dozen cookies
to brighten seniors’ holiday season.
To locate a center or kitchen for drop-off,
please call 412.464.1300 or visit the website
at lifespanpa.org.
KORTZ: HUNTERS CAN
‘SHARE THE HARVEST’
THIS SEASON
State Rep. Bill Kortz is reminding deer
hunters that they can share their bounty
with the less fortunate.
Kortz, a member of the Pennsylvania
Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, said the
Hunters Sharing the Harvest Program allows
people to donate all or a portion of their
hunting harvest to local families in need.
“This is the 26th year for Sharing the
Harvest and during that time, more than
1.2 million pounds of venison have been
donated,” Kortz said, adding, “One deer can
yield meat for up to 200 meals, which can go
a long way toward feeding the hungry.”
Information on the program is available at
sharedeer.org including a list there of local
participating deer processors.
There were 120,515 pounds of
ground venison supplied to food
banks from last year’s donations, and
Kortz reminds residents that there is
no longer a $15 donor copayment—it
was eliminated in 2014. Hunters must
only follow the steps at sharedeer.
org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/
HowToDonateADeer_2016.pdf to make a
donation.
In the spirit of the season, Kortz added
that other organizations will be collecting
food items to help the less fortunate, so there