HEALTH DEPARTMENT HOLDS FLU CLINICS

The flu season is rapidly approaching, and anyone wanting to ward off the bug should plan to attend one of the flu vaccination clinics sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center beginning next week.

A total of five clinics will be held in Cape Girardeau, Delta and Jackson throughout October. The clinics are open to the public and provided in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Health. The flu, short for influenza, is described as a major illness and the fourth leading killer of older persons in the United States. It is highly contagious, and communicable even before the carrier realizes he is sick.

The clinics will target high-risk individuals or persons living with or caring for these people, said Vicky McDowell, communicable disease coordinator for the center. The first three clinics will target high-risk individuals, including adults ages 65 and older and adults or children with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular system, she said.

"The flu is a respiratory virus and those people can have more serious complications if they contract it," she said.

The vaccine will immunize people against the three most prevalent virus strains from last year.

McDowell said turnout for the clinics is always large. More than 4,000 flu shots were administered by the health department last year, she said, and more than 4,300 doses of the vaccine were ordered to administer in clinics this year.

Donations of up to $5 are requested from those who don't have a Medicare or Medicaid card, but no one will be ineligible to receive the vaccine because of financial concerns, she said.

"We ask for a donation, but if someone cannot provide that we certainly don't withhold the vaccine," said McDowell. "If they have Medicaid or Medicare cards, they need to bring them. If someone is bringing their child for a flu vaccine, they need an order from the physician."

The vaccine is an activated serum, which means that no one will catch the flu from receiving the shot, McDowell said. Some people have complained of a sore arm or a mild fever a day or so after receiving the shot, but there are few other side effects involved, she said.

Some people should use caution before taking the vaccine. People with an egg allergy could have problems because of the process involved in manufacturing the vaccine, she said. Also, anyone who has ever had a serious reaction to a flu shot in the past -- such as difficulty in breathing after receiving a shot -- they might not be a good candidate, she said.

Additional information about the flu shot of the clinic can be obtained by contacting the health department at (573) 335-7846.

FLU IMMUNIZATION DATES

Flu immunization clinics will be held on the following dates:

Oct. 1

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cape Girardeau Senior Center 921 Clark, Cape Girardeau

Oct. 2

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Delta Community Center, Delta

Oct. 3

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Jackson Nutrition Center, Jackson

Oct. 7

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Jackson City Hall, Jackson

Oct 28

1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, Cape Girardeau