MOUNT VERNON — Knox Public Health kicked off the community clinic schedule for flu and COVID vaccines on Sept.25 at the Centerburg Senior Center and Bladensburg Activity Center.
Flu vaccines will be available for adults and children ages 6 mos. of age and older. COVID-19 vaccines will be available for ages 12+. Anyone under the age of 12 can schedule an appointment by calling 740-399-8008.
Medicaid, Medicare, and most forms of insurance will be accepted for payment. You will not be denied if you do not have insurance. Clinic attendees need to bring their ID and medical/insurance card.
Last year, there were 13 reported hospitalizations of flu in Knox County, according to KPH Epidemiologist David Hatley II. Most of these hospitalizations were among the elderly, but the seasonal flu can be incredibly dangerous for infants, as they are at higher risk for serious complications such as pneumonia and ear infections.
The current flu vaccination recommendations state that everyone 6 months and older, including the elderly and infants, should receive an annual flu vaccine. For infants aged 6 months through 8 years, two doses may be required during a single flu season if they are receiving the vaccine for the first time.
In Ohio, flu activity tends to increase in October and can last as late as May, with cases typically peaking between December and February. Getting vaccinated every year is important because the virus varies from year to year. The flu virus mutates frequently, meaning the strain circulating one year may not be the same in subsequent years.
At all health department vaccine clinics, if someone cannot walk into a community clinic to get a shot, a nurse can go outside to administer the shot while the person is in their vehicle.
Someone must come into the clinic to advise the nursing staff and complete paperwork. There are no restrictions for age or health conditions.
Knox Public Health will also provide flu shots to anyone in Knox County who is homebound and unable to attend a flu shot clinic. To schedule a flu shot for a homebound person, call 740-399-8008.
In addition to the Centerburg flu shot clinic, Knox Public Health will conduct clinics in several communities throughout October. If you cannot attend a community flu clinic event, you can schedule an appointment with the Knox County Community Health Center at 11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon, by calling 740-399-8008.
Clinics in October include:
Oct. 4 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Fredericktown Library
Oct. 7 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Mount Vernon Library
Oct. 9 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Martinsburg Activity Center
Oct. 11 9:00 am – 11:00 am Station Break Senior Center
Oct. 16 9:00 am – 11:00 am St. Luke’s Community Center
Oct. 17 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Apple Valley POA-barn activity center
Oct. 30 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Mount Vernon HS Energy Fieldhouse
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