People flocked to Seip Drug in Park Rapids Thursday afternoon for an opportunity to get a seasonal flu shot.
This was one of the first flu shot clinics in the area. Several upcoming flu shot dates have been set.
Lindsay Lindey, Registered Nurse with the Minnesota Visiting Nursing Agency, said she administered 90 doses of flu shots Thursday afternoon. Those seeking shots started forming a line before 2 p.m. and were handed out numbers.
For those who missed this flu shot clinic, others are scheduled throughout the fall.
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
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According to MDH, every year in the United States, on average:
-5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu.
-More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications.
-About 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at increased risk for serious complications from seasonal flu illness.
This flu season, H1N1 influenza is also a concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that Minnesota will soon receive its first supply of vaccine for H1N1 influenza.
The first supply of H1N1 vaccine will go to Minnesota health care and emergency medical workers. The CDC estimates that more than 150 million doses of vaccine will ultimately be available throughout the U.S.
Symptoms of both seasonal and H1N1 influenza are similar.
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-Fever (above 100°F)
-Cough
-Sore throat
-Stuffy nose
-In some cases diarrhea and vomiting.
Flu shot clinics provided through Innovis Health Park Rapids have been postponed temporarily due to limited availability of the seasonal vaccine. They noted that while they are experiencing temporary shortages of the seasonal flu vaccine due to delays in shipment, patients will still have multiple opportunities to receive the vaccine within the usual time frame starting mid-October through the remainder of the year.
Additional shipment of doses should be arriving towards the end of October, and, if the need arises, additional clinics will be held.
Upcoming flu shot clinics
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-Oct. 5: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walmart Pharmacy, Park Rapids
1 to 3 p.m. Hubbard Methodist Church, Hubbard (St. Joseph's Community Health, adults)
-Oct. 6: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walmart Pharmacy, Park Rapids
-Oct. 20: 2 to 7 p.m. at Coborn's Pharmacy, Park Rapids (Ages 10 and up)
-Oct. 28: 9 a.m. to noon at Snyder Pharmacy, Park Rapids
1 to 2:30 p.m. at Lake George Senior Center, Lake George (St. Joseph's Community Health, adults)
-Nov. 9: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Nevis Senior Center, Nevis (St. Joseph's Community Health, adults)
-Dec. 3: 10:30 a.m. to noon at Laporte School, Laporte (St. Joseph's Community Health, adults)
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-Dec. 30: 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Akeley Senior Center, Akeley (St. Joseph's Community Health, adults)
