"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN, County Health Department Offering Flu Shots

The Cherokee Nation will be sponsoring a drive-thru adult seasonal flu vaccination clinic Monday, October 5 through Friday, October 9, at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. On Wednesday, October 7, the tribe will partner with the Cherokee County Health Department to offer the vaccine to any resident in the area while supplies last.

The Cherokee Nation will be offering a free adult seasonal flu shot drive-thru clinic beginning Monday, October 5 through Friday, October 9, at W.W. Hastings Hospital, located at 100 South Bliss Avenue in Tahlequah. The clinic will be held from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 7 a.m. until noon on Friday.

On Wednesday only, the tribe will be partnering with the Cherokee County Health Department during the clinic to offer the vaccine to non-Native Americans as well, while supplies last.

"By working together with the county health department, we are pleased to be able to provide this service to all residents of the community,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Nation Health Services and the U.S. Center for Disease Control advise that the single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that is given usually in the arm. Testing has shown that the flu shot is effective at preventing the seasonal flu.

“We are so excited about this opportunity to partner with Cherokee Nation Hastings Hospital in this effort to provide seasonal adult flu immunizations to our community. This will be the first time that we have sent public health nurses to Hastings Hospital, although we have worked with the Cherokee Nation for many years in community flu clinics. We hope everyone will participate in this convenient drive-thru clinic at Cherokee Nation Hastings Hospital on Wednesday, October 7,” said Linda Axley, Health Administrator, Cherokee County Health Department.

Yearly flu vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended that certain people should get vaccinated each year, including: children ages six-months to 19-years, expectant mothers, anyone age 50 and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, such as health care workers and those in a household with persons at high risk for complications from the flu.

The clinic is for the adult seasonal flu vaccine, and participants must be qualifying beneficiaries or have a Certified Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card or a blue Cherokee Nation tribal citizenship card to participate, except for Wednesday only, when any adult can receive the vaccine while supplies last. The Cherokee County Health Department will also be offering the vaccines to area residents at additional clinics in the future. For more information, visit fluinfo.cherokee.org.