With the holiday season starting, many of us plan to gather with friends and loved ones. Indoor gatherings are often festive fun but can lead to the rapid spread of illness.
There are common and simple ways to protect yourself – and the people around you – from illness:
- Practice proper hand hygiene: wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially before and after eating; after using the restroom; after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
- Cover your coughs and sneezes: try to cough or sneeze into your elbow, which helps catch airborne respiratory particles but also helps keep hands clean
- If you don’t feel well, stay home: it’s hard to miss out, but if you aren’t well, staying home is best for your recovery and will keep your friends and loved ones from being exposed to your illness
- If you can’t stay home, mask up: if going out is unavoidable – like to the pharmacy or doctor’s office – wear a mask if you have symptoms of respiratory illness
- Stay up to date on vaccines: Vaccines are a safe, effective way to reduce the spread of illnesses; make sure you get your updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines every year
Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone over six months old and is critical for patients 65 or older, anyone who has chronic medical issues and pregnant individuals. While the vaccine may not prevent every infection, the vaccine will help reduce the severity of illness and help keep you out of the hospital.
A select number of SSM Health locations in Wisconsin are offering vaccine clinic hours for flu vaccination:
SSM Health in Baraboo:
Appointments are required, call 608-355-3800.
- November 25, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- December 2, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
SSM Health in Fond du Lac and surrounding area:
Vaccines available by appointment only, call 920-923-7400 or schedule via MyChart.
SSM Health in Janesville:
Appointments are required, call 608-371-8000
- November 26, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- November 27, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
SSM Health in Madison and surrounding area:
Vaccines available by appointment only, call 1-877-277-3326 or schedule via MyChart.
SSM Health in Monroe:
Appointments are required, call 608-324-2600 or schedule via MyChart.
- November 25, 8:00 am – 11:50 am; 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- November 30, 8:00 am - 11:50 am
- December 5, 1:00 pm - 4:40 pm
- December 6, 8:00 am - 11:50 am
- December 9, 1:00 pm - 4:40 pm
- December 12, 1:00 pm - 4:40 pm
- December 13, 1:00 pm - 4:40 pm
- December 19, 1:00 pm - 4:40 pm
- December 20, 8:00 am – 11:50 am; 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- December 21, 8:00 am - 11:50 am
SSM Health in Ripon:
Vaccines available by appointment only, call 920-923-7400 or schedule via MyChart.
SSM Health in Waupun:
Vaccines available by appointment only, call 920-923-7400 or schedule via MyChart.
If these dates do not work for your family, you can request a vaccine at an upcoming appointment. You can also schedule a vaccine-only appointment through MyChart or by calling our flu line at 1-877-277-3326.
