Polk County Health Department offering flu shots at October walk-in clinics in Cedartown and Rockmart
The Polk County Health Department will be starting their annual immunization program ahead of the start of the annual flu season.
Local residents can go to the Polk County Health Department in Cedartown, 125 E. Ware St., and in Rockmart at 320 Water St., for flu shots during three walkin clinics during the month of October.
Cost for the flu shot is $35. Acceptable payment methods include cash, credit and debit cards, Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna and BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia.
“We encourage everyone over six months of age to get immunized against the flu,” says health department Nurse Manager Malindy Ely.
“It’s the single best way to protect yourself and those you love from getting influenza this flu season.”
Ely says the health department in Cedartown and in Rockmart will continue offering flu immunizations by appointment after the October walk-in clinics.
Appointments may be made during regular business hours while supply lasts.
Ely said she hopes as many Polk County residents as possible will take advantage of the walk-in clinics to get immunized.
“We’ll be giving the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which is designed to protect against four different flu viruses - - two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses -- so you get broader protection,” Ely says.
On Oct. 20 and Oct. 21, flu shots will be administered from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, the hours for walk- ins are from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Cedartown’s health department office.
In Cedartown, flu shots for both walk-ins and appointments will be given at the Cedartown Health Department.
Prior to the clinics, Cedartown clients may call the health department to schedule an appointment at 770-7492270.
Rockmart’s health department office will be offering shots from Tuesday, Oct. 27 through Thursday, Oct. 29 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. on the first two days, and from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on the final day. To make an appointment, call the Rockmart office at 770-684-1385.
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and step in protecting against this serious, sometimes deadly, disease.
In addition to getting vaccinated, Ely reminds the public to take other, everyday preventive steps to fight the flu, such as staying away from sick people and washing your hands to stop the spread of germs.
“If you’re sick with the flu, you should also stay home from work or school so you don’t spread it to others,” Ely says.
“Children younger than six months are at a higher risk for serious flu complications, but are too young for the flu vaccine, so taking these precautionary steps around infants is especially important.”