Flu season is upon us, so the time has come to get your annual vaccination. Skiff Home Care and Jasper County Public Health are offering several flu shot clinics in the area for your convenience, including a drive-thru flu shot clinic Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9-11 a.m. at Skiff Medical Center.
“Flu can have a wide arrange of results,” said Brenda Smith, director of Skiff Home Care and Public Health. “The outcomes can range from mild illness all the way through severe sickness and death. Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions — including asthma and weakened immune systems — are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.”
The standard flu shot clinics are for ages 19 and older. A pneumonia vaccine is available for those who are 65 or older and have never had the vaccine. The pneumonia vaccine is free for those covered by Medicare B.
Locations and dates of clinics are as follows:
• Baxter Community Building, 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8
• Colfax Senior Citizen Center, 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Oct. 7
• Kellogg City Hall, 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 10
• Monroe City Hall — 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 10
• Skiff Medical Center in Newton (drive thru), 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
• Jasper County Community Center, 10:30 to noon Wednesday, Oct. 23
• McCann Village Apartments in Newton, 2 to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21
• Newton YMCA, 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11
• Prairie City Hall, 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8
• Sully Community Center/Library, 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 9
To save time, those wanting vaccinations are invited to complete in advance the 2013-14 seasonal flu vaccine questionnaire, which is available online at www.skiffmed.com.