2nd mass flu clinic planned in Clark County for Dec. 11

A second mass flu clinic will be held Friday, Dec. 11, at the Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation Department's recreation center.
The hours of the clinic will be from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., or the vaccine runs out.
This clinic will be to primarily vaccinate people with H1N1 vaccine, though seasonal flu vaccine will be available as well. There is no cost for any of the vaccine, but those who have Medicare, Medicaid, state or private insurance or ARKids First are asked to bring their cards.
Children under the age of 10 who were vaccinated for H1N1 at one of the school clinics are urged to come through this clinic and get their second shot, if it has been four weeks since their first H1N1.
Forms will not be placed in businesses throughout the county, said John Miller, Administrator of the Clark County Health Unit. People can come to the unit and pick up a form, or fill one out at the recreation center.
“At this time,” Miller said, “we are being told we should receive as much H1N1 vaccine for this clinic as we had seasonal vaccine for the Oct. 30 clinic.”
A total of 2,361 flu shots were given at the Oct. 30 clinic. Of these, 211 were for H1N1, with 2,150 being for seasonal flu. At the Oct. 30 clinic, the H1N1 vaccine was restricted to pregnant women, children 6 months-4years, and those four to 18 years of age with chronic health problems.
“This won't be the case at the Dec. 11 clinic,” Miller said. “We are being told the H1N1 vaccine is available to anyone who wants it. Our goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible for the H1N1 and seasonal strains of flu as we can.”
Nurses and Non-Nursing Volunteers will be needed to help with this clinic. Anyone interested in helping out needs to call Ann Caldwell (non-nursing) or Corey Godwin (nurses) at 870-246-4471. All volunteers will need to attend an orientation training session prior to the mass clinic. Those who helped out with the Oct. 30 clinic are still considered to be trained, but need to let the CCHU know if they plan want to work the Dec. 11 clinic.