"There are certain risks to flu vaccination that we believe your primary care doctor is best positioned to address with you," said Dr. Frank Francone, a board certified family medicine physician with White-Wilson Medical Center's Immediate Care Clinic. "Your primary care physician is ideally suited to counsel you on the risks and benefits of the influenza vaccination, taking into consideration your past medical history, medication use, allergies, etc., and can advise you if there is a reason you should not get the flu vaccine."

There are several variations of the influenza vaccine, which include a nasal mist, the regular flu shot and the high-dose flu shot. Another variation is the intradermal flu vaccine that has a 90% smaller needle and is injected into the skin instead of the muscle.

The nasal flu mist is the live but weakened flu vaccine that is given to healthy patients 2 to 49 years of age. The regular flu shot is for patients 6 months to 64 years old, and the high dose flu vaccine is for patients 65 years and older. Patients 65 years and older generally do not respond to the standard dose flu vaccine, and are also more likely to be hospitalized or die from flu complications. All variations of the vaccine are now available at White-Wilson Medical Center.

"The main advantage of early immunization is that it ensures you get the vaccine if the supply is limited and you are protected in case the flu season peaks early," said Dr. Francone. "It takes the body about 2 weeks to form protective antibodies. Vaccination should occur before the traditional peak of the flu season so that protective antibodies are already in place when the peak of flu season arrives."

The CDC recommends that people get the vaccine as soon as it is available, as flu season can begin as early as October. Patients can call schedule an appointment to receive the vaccination in White-Wilson's Pediatric, Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Immediate Care Clinics. The flu shot is covered 100% by most major insurance companies with no co-pay necessary.

"There are certain risks to flu vaccination that we believe your primary care doctor is best positioned to address with you," said Dr. Frank Francone, a board certified family medicine physician with White-Wilson Medical Center's Immediate Care Clinic. "Your primary care physician is ideally suited to counsel you on the risks and benefits of the influenza vaccination, taking into consideration your past medical history, medication use, allergies, etc., and can advise you if there is a reason you should not get the flu vaccine."

There are several variations of the influenza vaccine, which include a nasal mist, the regular flu shot and the high-dose flu shot. Another variation is the intradermal flu vaccine that has a 90% smaller needle and is injected into the skin instead of the muscle.

The nasal flu mist is the live but weakened flu vaccine that is given to healthy patients 2 to 49 years of age. The regular flu shot is for patients 6 months to 64 years old, and the high dose flu vaccine is for patients 65 years and older. Patients 65 years and older generally do not respond to the standard dose flu vaccine, and are also more likely to be hospitalized or die from flu complications. All variations of the vaccine are now available at White-Wilson Medical Center.

"The main advantage of early immunization is that it ensures you get the vaccine if the supply is limited and you are protected in case the flu season peaks early," said Dr. Francone. "It takes the body about 2 weeks to form protective antibodies. Vaccination should occur before the traditional peak of the flu season so that protective antibodies are already in place when the peak of flu season arrives."

The CDC recommends that people get the vaccine as soon as it is available, as flu season can begin as early as October. Patients can call schedule an appointment to receive the vaccination in White-Wilson's Pediatric, Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Immediate Care Clinics. The flu shot is covered 100% by most major insurance companies with no co-pay necessary.

"There are certain risks to flu vaccination that we believe your primary care doctor is best positioned to address with you," said Dr. Frank Francone, a board certified family medicine physician with White-Wilson Medical Center's Immediate Care Clinic. "Your primary care physician is ideally suited to counsel you on the risks and benefits of the influenza vaccination, taking into consideration your past medical history, medication use, allergies, etc., and can advise you if there is a reason you should not get the flu vaccine."

There are several variations of the influenza vaccine, which include a nasal mist, the regular flu shot and the high-dose flu shot. Another variation is the intradermal flu vaccine that has a 90% smaller needle and is injected into the skin instead of the muscle.

The nasal flu mist is the live but weakened flu vaccine that is given to healthy patients 2 to 49 years of age. The regular flu shot is for patients 6 months to 64 years old, and the high dose flu vaccine is for patients 65 years and older. Patients 65 years and older generally do not respond to the standard dose flu vaccine, and are also more likely to be hospitalized or die from flu complications. All variations of the vaccine are now available at White-Wilson Medical Center.

"The main advantage of early immunization is that it ensures you get the vaccine if the supply is limited and you are protected in case the flu season peaks early," said Dr. Francone. "It takes the body about 2 weeks to form protective antibodies. Vaccination should occur before the traditional peak of the flu season so that protective antibodies are already in place when the peak of flu season arrives."

The CDC recommends that people get the vaccine as soon as it is available, as flu season can begin as early as October. Patients can call schedule an appointment to receive the vaccination in White-Wilson's Pediatric, Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Immediate Care Clinics. The flu shot is covered 100% by most major insurance companies with no co-pay necessary.

"There are certain risks to flu vaccination that we believe your primary care doctor is best positioned to address with you," said Dr. Frank Francone, a board certified family medicine physician with White-Wilson Medical Center's Immediate Care Clinic. "Your primary care physician is ideally suited to counsel you on the risks and benefits of the influenza vaccination, taking into consideration your past medical history, medication use, allergies, etc., and can advise you if there is a reason you should not get the flu vaccine."

There are several variations of the influenza vaccine, which include a nasal mist, the regular flu shot and the high-dose flu shot. Another variation is the intradermal flu vaccine that has a 90% smaller needle and is injected into the skin instead of the muscle.

The nasal flu mist is the live but weakened flu vaccine that is given to healthy patients 2 to 49 years of age. The regular flu shot is for patients 6 months to 64 years old, and the high dose flu vaccine is for patients 65 years and older. Patients 65 years and older generally do not respond to the standard dose flu vaccine, and are also more likely to be hospitalized or die from flu complications. All variations of the vaccine are now available at White-Wilson Medical Center.

"The main advantage of early immunization is that it ensures you get the vaccine if the supply is limited and you are protected in case the flu season peaks early," said Dr. Francone. "It takes the body about 2 weeks to form protective antibodies. Vaccination should occur before the traditional peak of the flu season so that protective antibodies are already in place when the peak of flu season arrives."

The CDC recommends that people get the vaccine as soon as it is available, as flu season can begin as early as October. Patients can call schedule an appointment to receive the vaccination in White-Wilson's Pediatric, Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Immediate Care Clinics. The flu shot is covered 100% by most major insurance companies with no co-pay necessary.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the White-Wilson Community Foundation (WWCF) is partnering with the Okaloosa County Health Department and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to help raise money for local women in need of mammograms and follow up diagnostic care.

"The WWCF wants to help give women in our community a fighting chance against breast cancer," said Marjorie Cummins, White-Wilson Community Foundation President. "Throughout the month of October we are seeking donations to help provide mammograms for women in our community. Every dollar donated helps."

The Health Department will use 100 percent of the funds to provide mammograms to women in need, and will work with the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to cover the costs of any necessary follow-up care. The Foundation is asking you to partner with them and help raise money for this cause!

It is recommended that women get a screening mammogram at the age of 35, and then every year after the age of 40. The earlier cancer is detected, the better chance a woman has of surviving. To donate a mammogram or a portion of a mammogram, please visit www.whitewilsoncommunityfoundation.org.

About the White-Wilson Community Foundation: The White-Wilson Community Foundation was formed in 2012 to help improve healthcare in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties through service and education. The Foundation believes it is important to educate the community on the importance of preventive healthcare and to support organizations and charities in the community that provide healthcare services to individuals in need. For more information, please visit www.whitewilsoncommunityfoundation.org

""Over the past couple of years, we have seen a 30 percent nationwide decline in preventive health screenings, like mammograms," says Andi Mahoney, Marketing Director at White-Wilson Medical Center. "Early detection is the most effective way to save lives and fight against diseases like breast cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease.""

"Other highly coveted auction items will include a 3 or 4 night Carnival cruise, courtesy of Shelter House, and a one night stay at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in New Orleans. These two items will directly benefit the Shelter House of Northwest Florida. There will also be a one year membership to the Freedom Boat Club available for auction bidders!"

"The annual Little Black Dress Party was formed in 2010 to raise money for local charities to help raise awareness and education of the importance of preventive health and early detection. This year's event will benefit Shelter House, Opportunity Place, the local chapters of the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association and the new White-Wilson Community Foundation."

"Since the first event in 2010, the Little Black Dress Party has raised over $85,000, and organizers hope to greatly add to that number this year."

""This year, we are changing the program up a little to be more engaging with attendees," says Promotion Chair, Nicole Scott."

"We have a new spin on the fashion show with a voting element for fan favorite, courtesy of Silver Sands Premium Outlets. We will also have a 1920s speak-easy style room with casino gambling, as well as a photo booth and other interactive entertainment set up at the event."

"Pure & Couture Salon will be onsite to give the ladies a 20's curl hair style. This will be available for a $5 donation that will go right back to the charities as well."

Last year's event garnered more than 400 attendees and more are expected this year, so attendees are encouraged to get their tickets now. We're offering reserved seating this year an additional $10 donation per ticket. This guarantees a reserved seat at the event with anyone else in your party that purchases a reserved ticket; open seating is first come first serve.

We are in need of auction items for our live and silent auctions. If you would like to donate an item, please contact Lauren Haggett at 850-863-8111. The majority of the event's proceeds are generated from auction donations.

For more information on the Little Black Dress Party, sponsorship and ticket information, please visit www.FWBLittleBlackDressParty.com.