By LISA SIMPSON STRANGE
GLASGOW — Now that fall has arrived, people are beginning to think about winterizing their homes and cars. They should be thinking about winterizing themselves as well.
Flu season will begin soon and so will the need for the annual influenza vaccine. Shortages of the flu shots are not predicted this year.
“Vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 143 million to 146 million doses of influenza vaccine will be produced for use in the United States during the 2008-09 influenza season,” according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. “This is an all-time high supply of vaccine making it possible for more people than ever to seek protection from the flu.”
Several local entities will be offering flu shots.
Free flu shots will be available Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lera B. Mitchell Clubhouse, 1214 South Green St. in Glasgow. According to Marjorie Town with the clubhouse, Western Kentucky University Health Clinic will be giving the shots, which are free to everyone. WKU Health Clinic will also be administering free pneumonia shots Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the clubhouse. This will be a make-up day for flu shots as well. Pneumonia injections should be taken every five years, according to Town. If in doubt, patients should check with their physicians. For more information, call 651-3037.
Susie Bishop, R.N. educator for T.J. Samson Community Education & Resource Center, said the center will have a flu shot clinic on Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Central Center. Shots will be $18. Those wanting vaccinations billed to Medicaid or Medicare Part B should see their health care provider or the health department. No appointment is required. Another date may be added if the vaccine supply is sufficient, said Bishop. For more information, call 651-4745.
Rite Aid on Happy Valley Road in Glasgow will have two flu shot days: Oct. 22 and Nov. 19, both from 2 to 6 p.m., said pharmacist Tim England. Flu shots will cost $30 and pneumonia shots will be $45. Medicare Part B and selected HMOs will be accepted. For more information, call 651-6337.
Walgreens at 1001 W. Main St. has scheduled flu vaccinations Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Nov. 19, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost will be between $24.99 and $30, according to the company’s Web site. Appointments are encouraged. For more information, call 651-0471.
Area health departments have scheduled the following clinics:
Barren County – Flu shot will be scheduled by appointment on: Friday; Oct. 15; Oct. 22 and Oct. 31. For more information, call 651-8321.
Hart County – Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only. For more information, call (270) 524-2511.
Metcalfe County – Walk-in flu shot clinics will be Thursday at Summer Shade Fire Department; Oct. 21, at Bowling Park in Edmonton and Oct. 30, at Sulphur Well Park. All clinics are from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $22 unless Medicaid or Medicare Part B cards are presented.
For more information about additional clinics, visit www.-barrenriverhealth.org.
Patients can also receive flu shots at local doctors’ offices.
According to the CDC, vaccinations should be given beginning in the fall and into December, January and February. Immunity derived from the vaccine normally only lasts a year, which is why yearly injections are recommended. Since children have to receive two doses four weeks apart, they should be vaccinated early.
For general information on the timing of flu seasons in the United States, visit www.-cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm.
