Special to The T&D

COLUMBIA -- Influenza season is approaching, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is encouraging South Carolinians to get their flu vaccinations.

"Flu is a very serious illness in South Carolina," said Dr. Jerry Gibson, DHEC's director of the Bureau of Disease Control. "Each year, about 700 people die from the flu in our state, and more than 4,000 South Carolinians are admitted to a hospital. Flu is a leading cause of death for people age 65 years and older.

"Anyone can get the flu, even healthy people. The elderly, very young children and people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease are more likely to have complications from the flu."

Gibson said the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to get a flu shot.

"The vaccine provides immunity not only for the person who receives it but also for the community at large, when more people are protected," he said. "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 despite a popular myth, people do not get the flu from the flu shot, and added that the best ways to prevent the spread of the flu is by covering your mouth when you cough, washing your hands thoroughly and often and staying home when you are sick.

DHEC's public health regions across the state will begin offering flu shot clinics in October. Information about DHEC clinics near you will be regularly updated on the DHEC Web site at http://www.scdhec.gov/flu.

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.

Children and adolescents ages 6 months through 18 years are eligible for free flu vaccine through the DHEC Vaccine Assurance For All Children Immunization Partnership, which is available in many doctors' offices, community health centers and DHEC's county public health departments.

"DHEC has ordered 266,000 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 will also be available at http://www.scdhec.gov/flu or by calling DHEC's Immunization Division at 803-898-0460 or toll-free at 1-800-277-4687.

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

DHEC Region 5

flu clinic schedule

Bamberg County

Bamberg County Public Health Department, 370 Log Branch Road, Bamberg:

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Oct. 14, 21 and 28; Nov. 18 and 25 -- By appointment

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Nov. 4 -- Mass clinic and by appointment -- 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Denmark Public Health Department, 1239 Solomon Blatt Blvd., Denmark:

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Oct. 14, 21 and 28; Nov. 12, 19 and 26 -- By appointment

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Nov. 4 -- Mass clinic and by appointment -- 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Calhoun County

Calhoun County Public Health Department, 2837 Old Belleville Road, St. Matthews:

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Oct. 14, 17, 21, 24 and 28; Nov. 7, 14, 18 and 21 -- By appointment

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Nov. 4 -- Mass clinic -- 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Orangeburg County

Holly Hill Public Health Department, 932 Holly St., Holly Hill:

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Oct. 20, 24, 27 and 31; Nov. 3, 7, 10, 14 and 17 -- By appointment

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Nov. 4 -- Mass clinic -- 8:30-11:30 a.m.

North Public Health Department, 721 Stafford Ave., North:

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Nov. 4 -- Mass clinic and by appointment -- 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Orangeburg County Public Health Department, 1550 Carolina Ave., Orangeburg:

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Oct. 17, 24 and 31; Nov. 4, 7 and 11 -- By appoi

ntment

NOTE: For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-659-1651. Flu shots cost $25. If you have a Medicaid or Medicare Part B card, bring it with you. Wear a short-sleeved shirt or blouse.

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