MDH Announces Community Flu Shot Clinics

The single best way to protect against the seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. McDonough District Hospital Home Health Care is sponsoring several community seasonal flu shot clinics at various locations in October and November. The schedule, in chronological order, is as follows:

• Thursday, October 1, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, American Legion, 221 East Washington Street, Macomb.
• Wednesday, October 7, 2:00 - 4:00 PM, Grand Prairie Assisted Living, 1307 Meadowlark, Macomb.
• Tuesday, October 13, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, YMCA Senior Center, 400 East Calhoun Street, Macomb.
• Thursday, October 15, 2:00 - 5:00 PM, Hy-Vee Pharmacy, 1600 East Jackson Street, Macomb.
• Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 - 11:00 AM, Senior Center, South Main Street, Blandinsville.
• Wednesday, October 21, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Senior Center/Kiwanis, 103 North Downen Street, Industry.
• Thursday, October 22, 8:00 - 10:00 AM, Senior Center, 114 West Depot Street, Colchester.
• Thursday, October 22, 1:00 - 5:00 PM, Recreation & Cultural Center/Senior Center, 300 Miller Street, Bushnell.
• Thursday, November 5, 8:30 - 11:30 AM, Citizens Bank, 127 S. Side Square, Macomb.

The flu shot is recommended for the following high risk groups:

• Children ages 6 months to 23 months.

• People who are 65 years of age and older.

• Children and adults with chronic health conditions.

• Women who will be pregnant December through April.

• People who live in nursing homes or other chronic-care places.

• People who are 6 months to 18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy.

• Health-care workers who take care of patients.

• People who have or take care of children younger than 6 months of age.

A doctor’s order is not required to receive a flu shot. MDH will offer flu shots to anyone 18 years of age or older. Anyone under the age of 18 should contact their physician or the McDonough County Health Department.

The flu shot is paid for by Medicare Part B. Persons with Medicare Part B must present their Medicare Card, and MDH will bill Medicare Part B for this service. There is no out-of-pocket charge to the Medicare Part B recipient. For all others, the flu shot is $25. Participants may pay with cash, check, or credit card, including Mastercard, Visa, and Discover.

For more information about seasonal flu or H1N1 flu, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov or the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) website at www.idph.state.il.us.

For more information about the MDH sponsored community clinics, call MDH Home Health Care at (309) 836-1544.