Get Healthy: Be civic-minded - Get flu vaccination on Saturday

This column addresses topics related to the health of our community.

Saturday, Oct. 16 is Community Flu Vaccination Day, with free flu vaccines for all.

However, the main objective of the Saturday clinic is for Carson City Health and Human Services (CCHHS) to practice responding in the event of a disaster. Thank you to the thousands of Carson City residents who have come for free flu immunizations in the past. By lining up for your vaccination, you have played an important role in your community's preparedness.

How does this work? Health departments across the nation regularly conduct preparedness exercises, especially for times when mass amounts of dispensing are required. Emergency items to be dispensed could be vaccinations, medicine, water, masks or any number of things temporarily needed to maintain public health. CCHHS practices dispensing capacity by providing free flu vaccinations to the community each October. The no-cost vaccination is the community's incentive to participate.

Please consider getting your flu vaccination on Saturday. By doing so, you will help your community be better prepared in case of a public health disaster. Get a free flu vaccination Saturday - it's the civic-minded thing to do.

Some services are limited and available only to those individuals and families who qualify.

Community Flu Vaccination Day

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 16

WHEN: 9 a.m. -1 p.m.

WHAT: Residents can select from the flu shot or the nasal spray in three different locations for free vaccinations No appointment is necessary.

WHERE:

Walk-In: Carson Senior Center, 911 Beverly Drive, Carson City

Drive-through: Nevada National Guard, 2460 Fairview Drive, Carson City of Carson City

Drive-through: East Fork Fire Station 12, 3620 North Sunridge Drive, Douglas County

Men's reproductive health clinic appointments

Carson City Health and Human Services sets aside Monday afternoons from 4-6 p.m. for men's health appointments. Call 887-2195 for your appointment.

Clinics

WHEN: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Wednesday and Friday, by appointment

WHERE: Carson City Health and Human Services 900 East Long Street, Carson City

CALL: 775-887-2190

Thursday is Immunization Day

WHEN: 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1-4:30 p.m. Thursdays. No appointment needed

WHERE: Carson City Health and Human Services 900 East Long Street, Carson City

CALL: 775-887-2190

Whooping cough epidemic in California

In neighboring California, confirmed cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, are now four times that of last year. Local health officials encourage Tdap boosters for any adult up to 64 years of age who is in close contact with an infant. Whooping cough boosters for adults and vaccine for infants is available at Carson City Health and Human Services.

On the Web

www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us on Facebook!

• Pam Graber is the public information officer for Carson City Health and Human Services. Contact her at 775-283-7906 or pgraber@carson.org.