Cass County Public Health will be offering four special clinics for people to receive their annual flu vaccination. The clinics are planned for:

• Griswold Medical Center: Monday, October 10 from 5-7 pm
• Atlantic Medical Center: Monday, October 17 from 4-8 pm
• Anita Medical Center: Monday, October 24 from 5-7 pm
• Massena Medical Center: Monday, October 24 from 5-7 pm

In addition to the flu clinics, residents can receive their flu vaccine during the Atlantic Medical Center Immunization Room’s normal business hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 to 11 am, and 1:30 to 4 pm. They are also open on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 11. No appointments are needed – walk-ins are always welcome.

There are four strains, or types, of the flu that typically hit the Midwest during flu season — two types of Influenza A and two types of Influenza B. Atlantic Medical Center will have the Quadrivalent vaccine which protects against all four strains, to provide the greatest protection. They will also be offering the High Dose flu vaccine for people 65 years of age and older.

For the 2016 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD) has determined that the Flumist (flu nasal spray) is not as effective as the flu shot and therefore should not be give this year. Cass County Public Health and Atlantic Medical Center are following the CDC guidance by only providing flu shots this year; no flu mist will be available. Because injections can be more stressful for some children than receiving flu mist, Cass County Public Health will not be providing flu vaccines in area schools this year. Parents are urged to utilize the evening vaccination clinic times above to ensure their children are protected from influenza this season.

The two best ways to protect yourself, and those around you, from influenza are to get vaccinated and to practice good hand washing. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but also those around you who may be too young (under 6 months) or have a medical condition that prevents them from being vaccinated.

Vaccine does vary by age group, with different doses for different patient groups of different ages. The Atlantic Medical Center has the correct doses available for all age groups. The seasonal flu (influenza) is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus. Some common symptoms of the flu are fever, cough, shaking chills, body aches, and extreme weakness. The influenza disease may last for a couple of weeks.

For more information, please contact the Immunization Room at 712-250-8122.