Health care providers are once again offering vaccinations to adults in a community flu clinic to be held Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 2 to 7 p.m., at Lake Superior State University's Norris Center and the Bay Mills Resort Horizon Conference Center. The clinics are organized by the Chippewa County Health Department, War Memorial Hospital, Sault Tribe Health Center, Lake Superior University Health Center and Bay Mills Medical Clinic. Last year, over 1,000 people were vaccinated.
“Flu vaccinations are the best way to prevent getting the flu,” said Dr. James Terrian, medical officer for Chippewa County and health director of the Chippewa County Health Department. “Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization and death.”
Each year, over 114,000 people in the United States are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from flu-related complications.
A flu shot is recommended for people who are at high risk of experiencing complications from the flu — people over age 65; any adult with chronic health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma or other lung disease; people with cancer or HIV/AIDS; and women who will be more than three months pregnant during flue season, according to Terrian. Close contacts of any of these people should also receive the vaccine.
Please bring your Medicare card with you. If you are a tribal member, tribal employee or have Medicare B, your vaccine will be free. All others will be charged $12.
The flu clinic is for adults only. People are asked to wear a short-sleeved shirt. If you have any questions about the flu vaccine or the community flu vaccination clinic, please call the Bay Mills Health Center at 248-2257, and ask for a community health nurse.
