9/20/2021 - Knox Public Health will kick-off its community clinic schedule for flu shots with two clinics at the agency’s main location, 11660 Upper Gilchrist Rd., Mount Vernon.
The first clinic is set for Saturday (9/25) from 8 a.m. to noon and the second clinic is set for Sept. 28 (Tues.) from 4-6 p.m. Appointments are preferred for both clinics but walk-ins will be accepted. To make an appointment, call 740-399-8008.
Continuing in October, KPH will hold six community clinics throughout the county, plus three more clinics at the health department.
Flu shots will be available for adults and children, ages, 6 mos. of age and older. Medicaid, Medicare and most forms of insurance will be accepted for payment. Otherwise, the cost for the flu shot is $35 and can be paid in cash or by check. Clinic attendees need to bring their ID and medical/insurance card.
First, second or third doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for those who qualify, can also be given at the same time as the flu shot. However, if a clinic attendee choses to get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine on different dates, they will need to wait two weeks in between the administration of the shots.
While there were no reported hospitalizations of influenza in Knox County last year, the seasonal virus was here, said KPH Director of Nursing, Lisa Dudgeon. “Most people stayed home due to COVID-19 and practiced prevention measures like wearing a mask and social distancing when in public.”
During the 2020-21 flu season, cases throughout the U.S. were much lower, as were those getting flu shots, than in past years. Health experts predict that the lull in flu activity is only temporary and have stated that “when influenza returns, it will be with a vengeance.”
The threat of a harsh flu season stems from the fact that since people did not get the flu or a flu shot last year, they will not have developed immunity to the virus strains that might return this year. Flu vaccines are updated every year to better match the circulating flu viruses, some of which may have first appeared the year before.
In Ohio, flu activity traditionally begins to increase in October and can last as late as May, with cases typically peaking between December and February. CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the best protection against seasonal flu viruses.
At all health department flu clinics, if someone is unable to walk into a community clinic to get a shot, a nurse will be available to go outside to administer the shot while the person is in their vehicle. Someone will need to come in to the clinic to advise the nursing staff and complete paperwork. There are no restrictions for age or health conditions. Health department officials said they have plenty of vaccine.
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 September flu shot clinics at the health department, Knox Public Health will conduct clinics in several communities as well as three more clinics at the health department in October and November.
KPH flu shot clinics include:
Oct. 1 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Centerburg Senior Center
Oct. 7 9 - 11 a.m. St. Luke’s Community Center, Danville
Oct. 7 2 - 4 p.m. Apple Valley POA Bldg., Howard
Oct. 8 10 a.m. – Noon Fredericktown Community Library
Oct. 13 8:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. Energy Field House, Mount Vernon
Oct. 20 11:30 a.m –1:30 p.m. Martinsburg Community Center
Oct. 21 4 - 6 p.m. Knox Public Health
Oct. 23 8 am – Noon Knox Public Health
Nov. 18 4 – 6 p.m. Knox Public Health
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