Flu shots available for high-risk adults

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Montgomery County, Md., recently held a lottery to distribute 800 unused doses of flu vaccine to high-risk candidates.

About 20,000 names were put in the hat—and that’s just one example of the fight people around the country began to track down a flu shot of their own.

Licking County residents scrambled for the vaccine too, after the U.S. learned that it would not receive almost half of its expected British-made doses from California-based Chiron. Newark’s Health Department ran out of the vaccine during its first clinic.

Luckily, however, many locals have already received their shots, and more are available to high-risk adults through the Licking County Health Department and Licking Memorial Health Systems.

The health department has more than 700 doses left and has clinics scheduled at the department itself from 9 to 10 a.m. today and another at Indian Mound Mall, Heath, from 9 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 9, should supplies hold up.

“The clinics have tended to be real busy when we first open, the first hour or so, then kind of dies down toward the end,” County Health Commissioner Joe Ebel said. “We haven’t been as busy as we were thinking it might be.”

Licking Memorial Hospital received the vaccine, so that took pressure off of the county, Ebel said.

However, neither Licking Memorial nor the county is offering flu clinics for children. Ebel’s department has yet to receive its children’s doses and is not sure when they will arrive.

Licking Memorial Health Systems refers children who need vaccines to their pediatrician or family doctor.

Licking Memorial has scheduled clinics for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Dec. 9, except on Thanksgiving Day, at 88 McMillen Drive. Cost is $20. Those who want vaccines can also present Medicare, Medicaid or Licking Memorial Health Plan cards.

The clinic is for adults ages 18 and older.

In Pataskala, the Licking Memorial Family Practice will host a one-day flu clinic for adults and children at Pataskala Health Campus, One Healthy Place, from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Cost is $20, or patients can present a Medicare, Medicaid or Licking Memorial Health Plan card. The clinic is open to the public. For more information about the Pataskala clinic, call 964-3400.

The Family Practice will also conduct a one-day clinic in Johnstown at 151 Woodgate Drive for children and adults from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 13. Cost is $20. Medicare, Medicaid and Licking Memorial Health Plan cards will be accepted and the clinic is open to the public. For more information about the Johnstown clinic, call 348-1810.

Since 2001, about 9,000 people have received the vaccine through Licking Memorial health clinics, according to Director of Occupational Health and Physical Rehabilitation Services Maureen Eliseo.

“The flu clinic provides essential health-care services for our community and offers a convenient location,” she said. “The vaccination service provided through Licking Memorial Health Systems maximizes the number of people who are protected against the flu, which means a healthier community for all.”

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