With flu season just around the corner, health departments in Carter, Ponototoc, and Bryan County are preparing by holding drive-through flu shot clinics in the coming days. We've posted info about all of them on this link.
Bryan County
DRIVE-THRU FLU CLINIC
Date: Thursday, October 1st, 2009
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
HELPFUL TIPS:
1. Shots will be FREE and open to the public. DONATIONS ACCEPTED!!!
2. Bring Medicaid/Medicare card if applicable.
3. Complete form on reverse side.
4. No animals in vehicle.
5. Wear short sleeve clothing.
6. If weather is cool, remove jackets before entering route for shots.
WHERE: Bryan County Fairgrounds, 1901 S. 9th St
Drive-thru will be weather permitting, if raining, there will be a walk-in clinic in the Community Building.
For more information contact:
Bryan County Health Department
1524 Chuckwa Drive
Durant, OK 74701
580-924-4285
Download and fill out the form
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Pontotoc County Health Department Schedules Flu Shot Clinics
The Pontotoc County Health Department announced today its seasonal influenza vaccination clinic schedule for the upcoming flu season. Clinics will begin September 30, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.
"While the new H1N1 (swine flu) influenza has been the focus of so much attention since last spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by seasonal influenza viruses. Now is the time for Pontotoc County residents to get their annual seasonal flu shot," said Pontotoc County Health Department Administrative Director Michael Echelle.
"This shot is different from the new H1N1 flu vaccine and will protect against this year's seasonal influenza virus strains for the entire flu season."
Echelle said the shot is available for anyone who wants to be protected from seasonal flu and is especially recommended for children 6 months of age up to their 19th birthday, pregnant women, persons 50 years of age or older, persons with chronic medical conditions, residents who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, and persons who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu, including health care workers.
Echelle emphasized that flu can be a serious disease. Each year about 60 million Americans get seasonal influenza, resulting in about 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations. "Getting a flu shot each year is the best and most important step in protecting against flu," he said.
Echelle suggested Pontotoc County residents "take 3 actions" to prevent the flu.
-First, take time to get vaccinated for seasonal flu.
-Second, take those everyday preventive actions to keep from spreading flu viruses: cover your cough; wash your hands; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. And if you get sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medications.
-Third, take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them, especially if you are at increased risk of complications from the flu.
In addition to getting a flu vaccination, persons 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions should ask their doctor if they should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, which is a common and potentially serious complication of the flu. Unlike the influenza vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine does not need to be given every year. This vaccine is available at physicians' offices and the Pontotoc County Health Department.
For more information, contact the Pontotoc County Health Department at
(580) 332-2011.
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