Influenza Vaccine Clinic, Community Exercise Planned for Wednesday

The Pettis County Health Center will be closed on Wednesday Oct. 23 to allow employees to participate in a community-wide exercise at the Lowell Mohler building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

"We will be holding an exercise to try out this new location and provide staff with the opportunity to provide influenza vaccination services outside of our usual clinic settings. We would like to invite community members who are 19 years of age and older to and have not yet gotten their flu vaccination, to please come see us between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon.  Please bring a copy of your insurance card.  We also have a limited supply of vaccine to be given free of charge for those without insurance or whose insurance does not pay for this protection," according to JoAnn Martin, Pettis County Health Center administrator.

There will also be a drive-through area for those with limited mobility who would like to remain in their vehicles.

Influenza season is predicted to start early this year and the CDC recommends everyone over the age of six months receive the influenza vaccine before the end of October. Full protection takes about two weeks to develop.

"Please be aware that Sedalia Fire Department and Pettis County Ambulance will also be participating in this event, so do not be alarmed if you see these agencies assisting us with our exercise," Martin noted.

For additional information on influenza vaccination, please visit the Pettis County Health Center at www.pettiscountyhealthcenter.com or call the Health Center at (660) 827-1130.