Miller County flu shot clinic set for Oct. 6

Miller County Health Unit will hold this year’s mass flu vaccination clinic at its office, 503 Walnut St., Texarkana, Ark., instead of the usual venue, Four States Fairgrounds.

The event, to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, was moved because the fairgrounds weren’t available this year.

“We want Miller County residents to stay healthy this flu season, and getting a yearly flu vaccination is the best line of protection,” said Julie Huntley, Miller County Health Unit administrator. “We encourage everyone to come to the mass clinic or the local health unit to get their flu shot.

“The mass clinic is important because we can immunize or vaccinate a lot of people during the event,” Huntley said.

There is no charge for vaccines during the event. If someone has insurance, they will file on it, but those who have no insurance can receive the flu shot free of charge.

The flu virus changes year to year, and this year’s vaccine was developed to protect against the flu viruses that are expected to cause the most illness in the upcoming flu season.

“The flu should not be taken lightly,” state epidemiologist Dr. Dirk Haselow of the Arkansas Department of Health said in a press release. “We are encouraging everyone to get a flu shot to protect themselves and their families, because it is hard to predict in advance how severe flu season is going to be this year.”

Experts recommend getting the shot before flu season starts.

“It’s important to go ahead and get vaccinated before flu season hits so they’re prepared. It takes two weeks after a person receives the shot for them to build immunity,” Huntley said. “Flu season usually peaks in December and February, but can begin as early as October and may last until late May.”

Miller County will also vaccinate schoolchildren at their schools in the next few months.

“That program is to help prevent children from getting the flu,” Huntley said. “We’ve been doing it since 2009. It’s really helped with attendance for kids that get vaccinated.”

Consent forms for parents to sign are going out to schools now.

School flu clinic dates are:

n Oct. 27—Fouke School District

n Oct. 30—Texarkana, Ark., School District’s Washington ABC Preschool and Trice Elementary School

n Oct. 31—TASD’s Union and College Hill elementary schools

n Nov. 1—TASD’s North Heights Junior High and Arkansas High schools in TASD

n Nov. 2—TASD’s Fairview and Kilpatrick elementary schools in TASD

n Nov. 3—TASD’s College Hill Middle School in TASD

n Nov. 17—Genoa Central School District

Consent forms can be signed online at adhschoolfluprereg.arkansas.gov, but additional forms required by the schools will have to be filled out and sent back in. For more information, call 1-866-671-7266 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.