Flu clinics coming up

Release from Buncombe County...

The Buncombe County Department of Health has scheduled several flu vaccine clinics during the month of October. This year the department is placing a priority on getting children vaccinated, because they tend to spread the flu virus most easily. One-day flu clinics are being planned for one school in each school district from Oct. 4 through Oct. 14.

Vaccines at the schools will be available for children and their families and also for teachers and their families.

The Department of Health’s large flu vaccine clinic will be held this year at the Biltmore Square Mall from 9 am to 4 pm on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23. This flu clinic will be open to anyone 6 months of age and above.

Flu shots will be available for all ages at all clinic locations, however flu mist will be available for children 2 through 18 years old only. A limited amount of flu mist for adults will be available beginning Oct. 25 at the Buncombe County Department of Health, 35 Woodfin Street in downtown Asheville, across from the YMCA.

While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it's especially important that people in the following groups get vaccinated. Pregnant women, children younger than 5 years, people 65 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, people who are morbidly obese, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu and household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.

Insurance information
Insurance that will be accepted this year: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Crescent PPO, Health Choice, Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Medicare PFFS, Medicare Railroad, Primary Physician Care, Today’s Options, United Healthcare and Wells Fargo.
Without one of these forms of insurance, flu shots must be paid for at the time it is given.

Cost
Cost of flu vaccines at all clinics will be $25 for the shot and $31 for Flu Mist. Vaccines may be paid for by cash, check, MasterCard, VISA or most major insurance companies. Insurance cards must be presented before a vaccine is received. Children who are not covered by health insurance may be eligible for a flu vaccine at no charge.

School district flu clinic schedule
These vaccines are intended for children and their families and teachers with their families.
10/4 – TC Roberson, 3:30 - 7:00
10/5 – Erwin High, 3:30 - 7:00
10/6 – AB Tech, 3:30 - 7:00
10/7 – Enka Middle, 4:00 - 7:00
10/11 – North Windy Ridge, 3:30 - 7:00
10/12 – Owen Middle, 4:00 - 7:00
10/14 – Reynolds High, 3:30 - 7:00

For more information about the flu vaccine for 2010, go to www.buncombecounty.org/flu; www.cdc.gov/flu; or www.flu.gov.