Free flu vaccines on Friday
Posted on Thursday, November 6, 2008
BENTON COUNTY — With the arrival of cooler weather and colorful leaves, it is official — winter is knocking on northwest Arkansas’ door, bringing with it the hopes of snow days and the dread of flu season.
To help Benton County residents ward off the runny noses and muscle aches associated with the flu, the county Health Department will offer free flu vaccines Friday.
To make sure getting the vaccine is as quick and easy as possible, the Health Department will operate a drive-through flushot clinic in Phillips Park off Southeast J Street in Bentonville. The clinic will operate from 8 a. m. until 5 p. m. The clinic will close promptly at 5 p. m. — line or no line.
All people need to do is show up and offer their arms to get the flu shot at no cost, although the Health Department asks those with Medicare or Medicaid to bring their insurance cards with them, said Loy Bailey, the county Health Department director.
“ Offering the flu vaccine this way allows us to be efficient in exercising our mass dispensing plan and dispensing the vaccine, and it allows us to get a lot of people in a relatively short time, ” Bailey said.
While the vaccine is available for anyone, children from 6 months old to 4 years old and adults over the age of 50 are strongly encouraged to get the flu shot because they are the most at-risk for catching the virus, Bailey said.
“ We are encouraging everyone to receive a vaccine, ” Bailey said. “ For us to vaccinate a child, though, a parent, grandparent or legal guardian does need to be present with the child. ”
The Health Department received 2, 900 doses of the vaccine this year. Bailey expects to dispense many of those during Friday’s clinic. Last year, 2, 200 people participated in the drive-through flu-vaccination clinic. Bailey said he expects just as many this year.
Bailey noted that 500 of the vaccinations will be given in a walk-in flu clinic being offered in Siloam Springs this year.
“ This is our first time doing this in Siloam Springs, and we will be working with St. Francis Clinic and Bridges to Wellness in Siloam Springs to have a walk-in clinic over there, ” Bailey said.
Flu shots will be given in Siloam Springs at the St. Francis Clinic from 8 a. m. until 5 p. m. Friday.
For those who are unable to get free flu shots Friday, the Health Department will offer the remaining supply to the public at a charge of $ 20 per shot.
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