Community Flu Shot Clinic Set for October 2nd

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, September 9, 2010 – The Western U.P. Health Department, the Grand View Health System, and the Iron County Wisconsin Health Department will hold their fifth annual community flu shot clinic Saturday, October 2, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Gogebic Community College’s Linquist Center Gymnasium.

At the flu shot clinic, nurses will vaccinate as many as 1,500 Michigan and Wisconsin residents in three hours. The clinic will feature walk-in service as well as curb-side vaccination for people who would have difficulty walking through the clinic. At last year’s clinic, the average time from start to finish was under five minutes per person.

This year, for the first time, the seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. The 2010 regular seasonal flu vaccine will provide protection for three different strains of flu, including last year’s H1N1. Children under 9 years of age may require two doses, given one month apart, depending on how many flu shots they received last year. Check with your healthcare provider or the health department to find out what your child needs this year.

“Young children, pregnant women, senior citizens and anyone with certain chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma, are at higher risk for serious complications from the flu, so it is particularly important that they get vaccinated,” said Dr. Terry Frankovich, Western U.P. Medical Director, “but as we learned from the H1N1 epidemic last year, even healthy adults can become very ill with the flu—so everyone should protect themselves by getting vaccinated this year.”

Flu shots will cost $25 per person, with no charge to clients who present a current Medicare, or Michigan Medicaid card. Most children qualify for free or reduced rates via the Vaccines for Children program. Receipts and billing forms will be provided to those people who will bill private insurance for reimbursement.

“This clinic is also a run-through of our community preparedness plans,” said Zona Wick, the Iron County health officer. “By attending, members of the public can receive their annual flu shot and also help us enhance our community readiness to deliver medications or vaccines in the event of a public health emergency. With staff from three health care organizations and other volunteers, the clinic is quick and efficient, with minimal wait times.”

For more information, call the Western U.P. Health Department at 906-667-0200 or the Iron County Health Department at 715-561-2191.