Tuesday, October 20, 2015

TOP STORY >> Free flu shots at area health clinics

The Arkansas Department of Health will provide flu shots to adults and children in Beebe on Oct. 30, in Jacksonville on Nov. 3 and in Lonoke on Nov. 6.

The shots are free if recipients are uninsured or their insurance plans do not cover the cost of flu shots, so participants should bring their insurance cards to the events.

Flu vaccines will be available 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 at the Beebe Health Unit, 306 Gum St.; from noon until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at the Jacksonville Community Center, 5 Municipal Drive; and from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 at the Lonoke Fitness Center, 1355 W. Front St.

Milton Garris, administrator of the Cabot and Lonoke Health Unit, said, “We want Lonoke County residents to stay healthy this flu season, and getting a yearly flu vaccine is the best line of protection. We encourage everyone to come to the clinic to get their flu vaccine.”

Garris points out that 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.

For people who do not like shots, the flu mist is recommended for anyone between the ages of 2 through 49 who does not have asthma or other problems that might weaken their immune systems.

More people died from the flu last year in Arkansas than in the last 30 years, Garris’ announcement notes.