On Friday from 8:30 until 4:00 the Baxter County Health Unit of the Arkansas Department of Health will offer flu vaccinations for all residents of Baxter County at the Mountain Home Christian Clinic at 421 West Wade Street in Mountain Home.
Baxter County was the first in Arkansas to offer a mass clinic, and this year will be the 16th the clinic has been offered to the community. Administrator of the Baxter County Health Unit Lou Anne McLendon, RN, ADM, says this year’s new location will allow more to be served.
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This year’s clinic will be a walk-through one. McLendon says those taking advantage of the flu vaccine clinic should bring their insurance cards with them.
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McLendon says those who cannot attend the clinic do have other options.
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According to the ADH, an annual flu vaccination is recommended for most adults and children six months and older. The flu virus changes from year to year, and this years vaccine protects against the flu viruses expected to cause the most illness this flu season.
People of all ages can get the flu. Certain people are more likely to have serious health problems if they get the flu. This includes older adults, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), people who smoke and people who live in nursing homes. Therefore, ADH strongly recommends people in these groups get a flu vaccine. It is also recommended friends, family members and people who provide care to people in these groups also get a vaccine, not only to protect themselves, but also to decrease the possibility they might expose the people they love and care for to the flu.
The flu vaccine is safe and does not cause the flu. Some people may have mild soreness and redness near the site of the shot and a low fever or slight headache. There are very few medical reasons to skip the flu vaccine. These include life-threatening allergic reactions to a previous dose of the flu vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine. People with allergies to vaccine ingredients can often receive the vaccine safely, if it is given in a doctors office where they can be monitored.
The flu is easily spread through coughing or sneezing and by touching something, such as a door knob, with the virus on it, and then touching their nose or mouth. Good hand washing habits are important in preventing the flu. However, the best way to prevent the flu is to get the vaccine.
For more information, go to healthy.arkansas.gov or flu.gov.
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