Free Flu Shots at Election Day Clinics

November 1, 2010

(Wise, VA) – The Lenowisco Health District will offer free seasonal flu vaccine to everyone ages three and up, at the following clinics on Tuesday, Nov. 2:

  • Municipal Building (@ Fire Station), 618 Virginia Ave., Norton (8 a.m. to noon)
  • L. F. Addington Middle School, 342 School St., Wise (1 to 5 p.m.)
  • Town Hall, 505 E. Fifth St. South, Big Stone Gap (1 to 5 p.m.)
  • Wise County Health Department, 134 Roberts Ave., SW, Wise (8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
  • Scott County Health Department, 190 Beech St., Gate City (8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
  • Lee County Health Department, Hill Street, Jonesville (8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

Vaccine is available on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge, and is for anyone over three years old. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

“Clinics such as these give us the opportunity to rapidly mobilize a dispensing site and exercise our emergency vaccination plans.” said Robert L. Peters, emergency planner for the Lenowisco Health District.

Flu vaccine is effective. “Take time to get a flu shot,” said Eleanor S. Cantrell, M.D., director of the Lenowisco Health District. “The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.”

“The vaccine is safe; since viruses in a flu shot have been killed, they cannot cause the flu,” said Dr. Cantrell. “Like all vaccines, it stimulates the immune system to protect you against the flu, but does not cause the flu.”

For more information, call the Wise County Health Department at 276-328-8000, or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.