The flu vaccinations will be available at the health department at 612 N. Oak in Sallisaw from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Linda Hattaway, health department administrative director, said the health department will receive only 70 percent of the state-funded vaccine orders for this year's flu vaccination services.
Hattaway said, "The primary reason for reduced supply of state-funded orders of vaccines is due to increased costs of the vaccine. Costs increased from $2.65 to the range of between $6.77 to $8.76 per does for this flu season," Hattaway said.
Hattaway said persons at highest risk for flu or pneumonia will be encouraged to be vaccinated first this year, followed by persons at lower risk.
Persons at high risk for flu complications include:
Persons 65 years of age and older.
Persons two years and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma and other chronic diseases such as diabetes, renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression including that caused by medications.
Healthy children 6 to 23 months of age.
Health care workers.
Household contacts of persons at increased risk of influenza-related complications including contacts of infants less than six months old who are not eligible for influenza vaccine.
The vaccine is also recommended for persons age 50 to 64, Hattaway added. However, due to the limited supply of vaccine, the health department recommends these persons not be vaccinated until November with the general population and as supplies are available.
Medicare patients with Part B need to bring their Medicare card, and the parents of children who have Medicaid, or Sooner Care, should bring their cards.
Hattaway said health officials recommend that persons age 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions check their records for pneumococcal vaccinations to reduce the risk of pneumonia resulting from influenza or other respiratory illnesses. The vaccine is available at physicians' offices and the health department.
For more information about flu shots and clinics call the health department at (918) 775-6201.
