Scott County health dept. to offer extended flu shot hours

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Scott County residents who can't make any of the flu vaccination clinics during regular hours are in luck.

The health department will offer an extended hours walk-in clinic from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday at its Sikeston office. An earlier clinic will be offered from 9 to 11 a.m.

"We're trying to target people who work during the day and children who are in school or day care," registered nurse Karen Evans said.

The clinic is open to any Scott County residents.

"We haven't had any reported cases of flu as of yet, but the influenza can occur at any time," Evans said. "Flu season is most commonly from October through May, but most of the cases occur in January and February."

All people ages 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccine, Evans said.

"It takes two weeks for protection to take full effect, and protection lasts about a year," Evans said, reiterating that adults and children and need to be vaccinated yearly.

However, there are some exceptions to the vaccine recommendations. Although it's rare, a severe allergy to any vaccine component may be reason not to get the vaccine, Evans noted. Also if someone has Guillain-Barre syndrome, they should not receive the vaccination, she said.

"If someone isn't feeling well they day they're supposed to get vaccinated, they should wait until they're back to normal before getting the flu shot," Evans said.

Children are typically given the nasal mist flu vaccine while flu shots are administered to adults, Evans said.

"If someone other than the parent, such as a grandparent, brings a child under 18 years to receive the vaccine, they need to have a written note signed by the parent," Evans said.

A common misconception by the public is they can get the flu from the vaccine.

"People can't get sick from the flu shot because it's an inactivated vaccine, but a symptom those who receive the shot may have is a sore arm," Evans said.

Other minor side effects include a low-grade fever and aches, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, the flu can cause high fever, body aches, fatigue, cough and runny nose. It can also cause a secondary infection, such as pneumonia.

Cost for the vaccine is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Medicare, Medicaid and Humana are also accepted, Evans said.

Scott County has a daytime satellite flu vaccination clinic coming up from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at Riverside Regional Library in Benton.

An outreach immunization clinic will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the library in Benton.

Flu vaccinations are also available by walk-in every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Sikeston office.

Pertinent address:

102 Grove Estates Ct, Sikeston, MO

44 N Winchester, Benton, MO