Health Department plans clinic for flu shots

Supplies of influenza vaccine for the coming winter season is supposed to be ample this year, said Eva Wooten, Public Health

Nursing Supervisor for the Appalachian District Health Department. However, additional shipments of vaccine that will be needed throughout the flu season have been somewhat slow to arrive here. Wooten said the county has already registered on laboratory confirmed case of influenza in the month of October.

State health officials say it is best to take the vaccine in either October or November for the maximum benefit. However, there still is benefit to taking it even in December.

The local office of the health department, located on Health Services Drive off N.C. 18 south of Sparta, is planning a flu vaccination clinic on Monday, Oct. 23, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. "We should have enough in stock to supply vaccinations to anyone who wants to come to the clinic," said Wooten.

A second clinic is planned for Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Wooten said everyone could benefit from being vaccinated. "We especially encourage children, people with chronic illness and the elderly to participate," she said. "Pneumonia vaccines, which are of particular importance to the elderly, are also readily available."

The flu vaccine is $31 and the pneumonia vaccine is $45. The health department will bill Medicare or Medicaid and State Teachers Insurance.

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