The Miller County Health Unit of the Arkansas Department of Health will have a mass flu vaccination clinic from 7 am to 3 pm Sept. 25 at the Four States Fairgrounds.
People with insurance should bring their insurance cards to the clinic. People who don’t have insurance or whose insurance does not cover flu shots will receive the vaccine for free.
The annual flu vaccination is recommended for most adults and children six months and older. The flu virus does change from year to year, and this year’s vaccine protects against the flu viruses that are presumed to cause the most illness this flu season.
People of all ages can get the flu, but some people are more likely to have serious health problems if they get the flu including 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.
ADH officials strongly recommend that people in these groups get a flu vaccine. It is also recommended that 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 that 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, like 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 doctor’s office where they can be monitored.
For more information visit healthy.arkansas.gov or flu.gov