Flu shots available soon in county

By Staff
Jason Cannon
County health departments in Northwest Alabama will begin administering influenza vaccine in clinics for the general public beginning this month.
A flu shot clinic is scheduled for the Franklin County Health Department Oct. 29 and 30 from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. each day.
Area Health Officer Karen Landers said the state is expecting an ample supply of flu vaccine this season, and shots will be administered on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last.
"Taking influenza vaccine is one of the best preventive measures we have for this disease," she said. "We can significantly reduce illness and death from influenza by immunizing more people."
Those in a high-risk category are especially encouraged to seek vaccination.
High-risk persons include:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year 5 to 20 percent of the population will get the flu, more than 200,000 will be hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 will die as a result of the flu.