Cherokee Nation Offering Free Flu Vaccine Clinic at Hastings

Native News Network Staff in Native Health. Discussion »

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation is offering a free flu vaccination clinic for Cherokee Nation citizens and other tribal health patients all this week through Friday, Sept. 21 and again on Monday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 28 from 7 am to 6 pm. The clinic will be held in Cafe Hastings at W.W. Hastings Hospital, 100 S. Bliss Ave. in Tahlequah.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone
to prevent the spread of the Influenza virus.

By getting a flu vaccine for yourself and your entire family every year, you can help prevent flu-related illness, missed school, and missed work.

Established patients at the hospital can come directly to the cafe to register and receive the vaccine. Those who are not established patients will need to start at registration desk first.

“Every year as flu season approaches, we strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated against the flu,”

said Dr. Charles Grim, Cherokee Nation senior director of health services.

“This year is no exception; people who get vaccinated have less risk of getting the flu and if they do get the flu it is usually a milder case.”

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that infects the nose, throat, and lungs and can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or even death. Pneumonia and bronchitis are examples of serious flu-related complications. The flu also can cause certain health conditions, like diabetes, asthma, and heart and lung disease, to become worse. Anyone can get sick from the flu and spread it to friends and loved ones – even if you consider yourself to be healthy. According to the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, getting a flu vaccine is the single best way to protect yourself and your family from this serious disease.

The flu shot is recommended for everyone. The CDC strongly encourages the vaccine for those individuals who are who are vulnerable to the flu, such as children ages six months to 19 years, expectant mothers, anyone over 50, people who have chronic medical conditions and health care workers.

For more information about the vaccination clinic, call Dr. Brandon Taylor at 918.458.3179.

posted September 18, 2012 7:00 am edt