Free Flu Shots and Preparedness

The Drew County Mass Flu Clinic will give free flu shots to anyone Thursday Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church on Highway 425 North.

Terri Richardson, director of Student Health Services and exercise room, said the event will be held as practice in mass vaccination in case of a bio-terrorism attack.

"This works well because we are able to practice while vaccinating people for free," Richardson said.

Influenza, also called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

According to the Center for Disease Control Web site approximately 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. get the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, about 36,000 people die from flu and the best way to prevent getting the flu is vaccination.

Some people should not get vaccinated without first consulting a physician, they include:

People with severe allergies to chicken eggs.

People who have had a severe reaction to vaccination in the past.

People who have developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by the rapid onset of weakness and often paralysis the legs, arms, breathing muscles and face) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.

Children under 6 weeks of age.

People with moderate to severe illness with a fever should wait until symptoms lessen.

For more information visit CDC or NIH.gov; or contact Terri Richardson at 460-1051.