Flu season has arrived and Powell Valley Healthcare is gearing up for the season. 

“Flu vaccines will be coming,” CEO Terry Odom announced at the Sept. 26 board meeting. “We’ll do clinics for staff, their families and the community.”

The community will get a chance Tuesday, Oct. 11 as the hospital will offer drive-thru flu shots.  

“We will be set up in the main clinic parking lot, ready to begin at 12:00 noon and will continue until 4:30 p.m.,” said Jill O’Donnell, clinic nursing director. 

This clinic is for adults 18 and older. The cost for a flu shot is $25. Medicare cards are accepted. 

“If you cannot make it to the drive-thru clinic, or if you prefer to use your insurance, we have time slots available for people to schedule with a nurse for a flu shot,” O’Donnell said in a release. “Simply call the clinic at 754-7257.” 

Flu shots for children are also available by way of nurse visit at the clinic. The influenza vaccine that PVHC provides is the Fluarix Quadrivalent vaccine, designed to provide protection against four different influenza variants. For more information about the Fluarix Quadrivalent vaccine, visit cdc.gov/flu/prevent/quadrivalent.htm.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), flu signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who are sick with flu often feel some or all these symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle or body aches

• Headaches

• Fatigue (tiredness)

• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

The flu vaccine is designed to help reduce the seriousness of illness and symptoms if you contract influenza. Getting a flu shot helps your body prepare to fight the illness, the hospital said. It also helps to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face as much as possible and stay away from other people who have flu symptoms.