GALLIPOLIS — Gallia County Health Commissioner, Dr. Gerald Vallee, has announced that Saturday, September 8, will be the first day that flu vaccine will be available at the health department. The flu vaccination clinic will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Gallia County Service Center at 499 Jackson Pike (Health Department location) as a drive-thru. Residents will enter the parking lot on the west side (right) of the building and proceed through the parking lot as directed.

The drive-thru flu shot clinic is specially designed to process people quickly and conveniently as they remain in their vehicles. In anticipation of the large number of residents requesting the vaccine that day, the health department staff and volunteers will be available to assist with traffic flow, registration and vaccination. If weather is not permitting, the clinic will be moved indoors. All residents are encouraged to bring a driver’s license or state issued identification card and their insurance cards.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as the vaccine is available. The 2012-2013 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses.

People at high risk for developing flu-related complications are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. Those groups include: Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than two years old; adults 65 years of age and older; and pregnant women.

Flu shots are also recommended for people who have medical conditions including: asthma, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions; chronic lung disease; heart disease; blood disorders; endocrine disorders; kidney disorders; liver disorders; metabolic disorders; weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids); people younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy; people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); and people who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index, or BMI, of 40 or greater).

The viruses in the flu vaccine are inactivated so patients cannot get the flu from the flu shot. Some people may experience some soreness or redness in the arm, a low-grade fever, or some body aches for one to two days after the shot.

The health department will not place any restrictions on who may receive the seasonal flu vaccine this year.

According to the Gallia County Health Department, county tax dollars were used to buy the vaccine. The health tax levy in Gallia County allows the health department to provide flu vaccine to Gallia County residents at no out-of-pocket expense. However, persons with Medicare part B or a medical card are asked to present their card at the time of service. Out-of-county residents may receive the vaccine for a fee.

The 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine is also available at the health department and clinic sites. Current recommendations are that persons aged 65 and older should receive one dose of the vaccine. It is also recommended that persons less than age 65 with a chronic disease also receive one dose of the vaccine. The ACIP (Advisory Council on Immunization Practices) recommends only two doses of pneumococcal vaccine in a lifetime. The vaccine will be provided at no out-of-pocket expense to those clients who present a Medicare Part B card. Those less than age 65 will be charged a fee. Call 441-2950 for current pneumococcal price or for more information regarding the influenza or pneumococcal vaccine.

Influenza vaccination schedule — 2012

The Gallia County Health Department (GCHD) has announced the following schedule for the administration of the 2012-2013 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine:

Saturday, September 8 — Flu Vaccination Kick Off at the Gallia Academy Health Department, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The vaccine will be available daily at the health department beginning Monday, September 10.

Flu vaccination clinics are also scheduled throughout Gallia County as follows:

Tuesday, September 11 — Evening hours at the Gallia County Health Department, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Wednesday, September 12 — Senior Resource Center, 9-10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, October 2 — Harrison Township Community Building/Fire Station 10-11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, October 2 — Grace United Methodist Church, 1:30-3 p.m.

Wednesday, October 3 — Greenfield Community Center, 9-10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, October 3 — Cadmus Community Center, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 3 — Patriot Lodge, 1:30-3 p.m.

Thursday, October 4 — Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 9–10:30 a.m.

Thursday, October 4 — Hannan Trace Elementary School, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 4 — Crown City/City Building 1:30–3 p.m.

Tuesday, October 9 — Evening hours at the Gallia County Health Department 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Wednesday, October 10 — Centerville Village Hall, 8:30–10 a.m.

Wednesday, October 10 — Centenary United Methodist Church, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 10 — Christ United Methodist Church, 1:30–3 p.m.

Thursday, October 11 — Vinton Town Hall, 9:30–11 a.m.

Thursday, October 11 — Ewington Academy, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Thursday, October 11 —Trinity United Methodist Church, 3–5 p.m.

Friday, October 12 — Addaville Elementary School 9–10:30 a.m.

Friday, October 12 — Cheshire Township Building, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Friday, October 12 — Morgan Township Building, 1:30-3 p.m.

Monday, October 15 — Gallipolis Developmental Center, 8:30–10 a.m.

Monday, October 15 — University of Rio Grande Conference Room C, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 16 — Gallia County Court House Law Library 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

If you need additional information, please call the Gallia County Health Department at 740-441-2018.