El Paso Firemen Fight the Flu and Pneumonia

The El Paso, Texas Fire Department (EPFD) announced the extension of its ‘Vaccinations for Health’ program throughout February 2019. 

The goal of this innovative program is to increase the wellness of the El Paso community in an effort to achieve the city's goal of nurturing and promoting a healthy and sustainable community. 

This program includes free flu vaccines to patients 18 and older and free pneumonia vaccines to those 65 and older. 

With the flu season in full force, the EPFD would like to remind Texans that the vaccination and health screenings service is free to all residents of El Paso and Hudspeth County, who do not have medical insurance or are on Medicaid. 

In addition to the flu vaccine, El Paso public health officials remind the public to practice the four C's in order to help reduce the incidence of infection: 

• CLEAN - Wash your hands often. Scrub your hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• COVER - Cover your cough. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Don't have a tissue? The crook of your elbow will do.
• CONTAIN - Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. If you do get sick, stay home until you're well again, so you don't spread more germs.
• CALL - Call or see your doctor if you or your child has a fever greater than 100 degrees.

To learn more about flu prevention, flu surveillance and additional health resources, visit the city of El Paso Department of Public Health website.