Residents may seek the free shots at the Gore Elementary School gymnasium at 301 N. Winn St., the commons area at Sallisaw High School at 2301 W. Ruth St., and at the Waylon Jones Center at 104 Ranger Blvd., in Roland.
"This is a great opportunity to get a flu shot before influenza season begins and help your community prepare for a public health emergency," Linda Hattaway, Sequoyah County Health Department administrative director, said.
Hattaway said in addition to providing protection against influenza, this mass vaccination will also serve as an exercise of the community's ability to provide immunizations to a large number of people in a short amount of time.
Any person 18 years of age or older is eligible and encouraged to be a part of the free influenza shot clinic. Children between the ages of six months and 18 years can also be seen at the health department during office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Oct. 24.
The county's flu clinic is part of a seven-county mass immunization exercise planned by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Hattaway said. The goal of the exercise is to prepare for the type of mass immunizations that might be required in the event of a terrorist attack, a naturally-occurring disease epidemic, or another public health emergency. The exercise will provide influenza vaccine to thousands of Oklahomans while helping train and prepare public health organizations, first responders, and medical staff.
"We expect to be ready to quickly screen and vaccinate people so they should not have to wait long for their shot," Hattaway said.
Employers are encouraged to provide time for employees to attend the exercise. "An hour away from the office in October may save sick days throughout the winter," Hattaway emphasized.
Each year, Oklahoma's county health departments provide influenza shots for people at high risk of health complications from influenza and others seeking protection from the flu. All county health departments will continue to provide influenza shots after the exercise as long as vaccine supplies last, Hattaway said.
"Influenza occurs every winter, and it is a deadly disease that kills about 36,000 Americans each year, of which 400 to 500 may be Oklahomans. By getting your flu shot each year, many serious illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths can be prevented," Hattaway said.
Counties participating in the mass flu immunization exercise include Sequoyah, Stephens, Tulsa, Canadian, Mayes, Oklahoma, and Beckham Counties.
