COLUMBIA -- With influenza season approaching, South Carolinians -- especially those with a higher risk for flu-related complications and those who live with or care for people at high risk -- are encouraged to get their flu vaccinations, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control.

"The best way to reduce the effects of the flu virus is to take the flu vaccine," said Dr. Jerry Gibson, director of DHEC's Bureau of Disease Control. "The vaccine provides immunity not only to the person who receives it but also to the community at large when more people are protected. We particularly want to urge people who are at the greatest risk from flu, or those who care for them, to make vaccination a priority."

Gibson said the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that a significant amount of influenza vaccine should be available in physician's offices and communities by the end of September to allow vaccinations to begin in most counties. DHEC's public health regions across the state will begin offering flu shot clinics in October. In The T&D tri-county coverage area, clinics begin Nov. 1. Information about DHEC clinics will be regularly updated on the DHEC Web site at http://www.scdhec.gov/flu.

Currently scheduled flu clinics for Bamberg, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties are as follows:

Nov. 1 -- 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1-4 p.m. Bamberg County Public Health Department, 370 Log Branch Road, Bamberg. By appointment only. 803-245-5176.

Nov. 1-2, 5-6, 8, 19-20, 26-27 -- 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Calhoun County Public Health Department, 2837 Old Belleville Road, St. Matthews. By appointment only. 803-874-2037.

Nov. 6 -- 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1:30-4:30 p.m. Denmark Public Health Center, 1239 Solomon Blatt Blvd., Denmark. By appointment only. 803-793-3285.

Nov. 6 -- 1-4 p.m. Orangeburg County Public Health Department, 1550 Carolina Ave., Orangeburg. By appointment only. 803-268-7316 or 803-268-2297.

Nov. 8, 15, 29 -- 1-4 p.m. Bamberg County Public Health Department, 370 Log Branch Road, Bamberg. By appointment only. 803-245-5176.

Nov. 9 -- 8:30-11 a.m. Calhoun County Public Health Department, 2837 Old Belleville Road, St. Matthews. By appointment only. 803-874-2037.

Nov. 9 -- 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1-4 p.m. North Public Health Department, 721 Stafford Ave., North. By appointment only. 803-247-2186.

Nov. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 and Dec. 3-4, 10-11 -- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Orangeburg County Public Health Department, 1550 Carolina Ave., Orangeburg. By appointment only. 803-268-7316 or 803-268-2297.

Nov. 13, 20 -- 1:30-4:30 p.m. Denmark Public Health Center, 1239 Solomon Blatt Blvd., Denmark. By appointment only. 803-793-3285.

Nov. 13-15, 28-29 -- 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Calhoun County Public Health Department, 2837 Old Belleville Road, St. Matthews. By appointment only. 803-874-2037.

Nov. 16, 21 -- 8:30-10 a.m. Calhoun County Public Health Department, 2837 Old Belleville Road, St. Matthews. By appointment only. 803-874-2037.

Nov. 16, 30 -- 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Holly Hill Public Health Department, 932 Holly St., Holly Hill. By appointment only. 803-496-3324.

Nov. 30 -- 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Calhoun County Public Health Department, 2837 Old Belleville Road, St. Matthews. By appointment only. 803-874-2037.

DHEC is only one of many flu shot providers. Check to see if your medical practitioner is offering flu shots as well.

Prices for the shots vary, however at DHEC clinics, there is a $25 charge for the vaccination, which Medicare and Medicaid will cover for those who are eligible. Medicare Advantage enrollees should contact their plans to learn whether a certain provider needs to provide the flu shot. Free flu vaccine is also provided to children and adolescents eligible for the DHEC Vaccine Assurance For All Children Immunization Partnership in many doctors' offices, community health centers and DHEC's county public health departments.

"DHEC has ordered about 290,000 doses for our clinics and partner providers," Gibson said. "The majority of the flu vaccine available in our state will be through private providers such as doctor's offices and other locations."

Information about who should get a flu vaccination is on the Web and available from your doctor or any of DHEC's 46 county public health departments. Flu vaccination information, clinic times and locations are available at http://www.scdhec.gov/flu or by calling DHEC's Immunization Division at 803-898-0460 or toll free 1-800-277-4687.

For a comprehensive listing of clinics across the Carolinas, including DHEC and non-DHEC clinics, check out the Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence's "Flu Clinic Finder" at www.thecarolinascenter.org/fcf or the American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org.

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