Polk County Announces 2006 Flu Shot Clinic Schedule

No one will be turned away from the clinics due to inability to pay.

Salem-News.com

(DALLAS) - Flu season is quickly approaching and Polk County Public Health Officer, Jeff Humphrey, DO is urging people to learn ways to prevent getting sick and to get their flu shot.

The flu season in Oregon, typically starts in the late fall and continues through the winter months, says Humphrey.

It takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks after receiving a flu shot for your body to develop protective immunity against the flu, so he advises people to get their vaccinations in October or early November for the best protection. He is especially urging those with chronic diseases, a suppressed immune system (due to chemotherapy, other treatments or conditions), people age 65 or older and healthcare workers to get their flu shots early in the season.

It’s also important to stay healthy by eating right, getting enough rest, practicing good hand washing ( using soap, water and friction), covering your cough with your upper arm (not your hands) and staying home when you’re sick, advises Dr. Humphrey.

This year, Polk County is participating in Oregon’s first statewide Pandemic Influenza exercise by holding a special clinic on October 26th at the Polk County Fairgrounds.

This clinic will test the county’s Mass Dispensing or POD (point of dispensing) clinic plan in the event of a large-scale disease outbreak causing a need to vaccinate or medicate a large number of Polk County citizens.

During this clinic, flu shots will be available for $15.00 due to availability of vaccine for this exercise. In addition, we can bill Medicare, Medicaid, Regence BC/BS of Oregon, Regence First Choice 65, Regence Preferred Choice 65 and Providence Medicare Extra.

Polk County Public Health plans to give 700 or more doses during this large clinic.

The clinic will be set up to move many people through the vaccination lines quickly. We will have additional staff helping with everything from traffic control and paperwork to administering vaccine, says Dr. Humphrey.

We are hoping to improve upon the results of our large clinic last year where we served 300 people per hour at the fairgrounds.

We are looking for licensed nurses and other licensed professionals (RN, LPN, NP, PA, MD, DO) and pharmacists who may be interested in volunteering at this clinic to help us prepare for a disease emergency in our county.

Dr. Humphrey urges anyone interested in volunteering to contact Mary Summers, RN (Public Health Emergency Response Coordinator) at (503) 623-8175 or by email at summers.mary@co.polk.or.us.

Polk County Flu Shot Clinic Schedule:

October 2nd 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Grand Ronde Seventh Day Adventist Church

October 12th 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Monmouth Senior Center

October 19th 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Salemtowne (West Salem)

October 26th 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Polk County Fairgrounds

October 30th 10:00 AM to noon - Academy Building Gym (Dallas)

November 9th 10:00 AM to noon - Polk County Courthouse (Dallas)

The flu vaccine cost is $25.00 (except for the clinic on October 26th). Pneumonia vaccine is also available for $25.00. Please wear short sleeves. We are able to bill Medicare, Medicaid, Regence BC/BS of Oregon, Regence First Choice 65, Regence Preferred Choice 65 and Providence Medicare Extra.

Make sure to bring your insurance card with you.