Big turnout reported for annual flu clinic
Volunteer Brynn Leftridge, left, prepares a flu vaccination for Lon Johnson, of Columbia Falls, outside the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Oct. 7. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Nearly 1,200 individuals received the influenza vaccine during this year’s annual flu clinic put on by the Flathead City-County Health Department Wednesday at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.
The health department hosts the event every year as a means to better prepare Flathead Valley residents for the upcoming flu season. Last year, the health department vaccinated 1,005 individuals and this year, that number increased to 1,191.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, vaccinations were primarily administered using a drive-thru system. Families with young children were vaccinated inside the fairground’s Trade Center.
“We’d like to thank all of the volunteers from Kalispell Regional Healthcare, Flathead Community Health Center, and other organizations for all of your help to make the event such a success,” said Kerry Nuckles, deputy health officer for the Flathead City-County Health Department. “We’d also like to thank all those who attended our flu clinic this year. Not only does our Flu Clinic help provide vaccinations that prevent the spread of influenza, but also it helps FCCHD staff practice our emergency preparedness skills.”
“Flu shots are important every year,” Nuckles said. “But this year especially we are encouraging everyone 6 months of age and older to receive their vaccination.”
An influenza vaccination is widely regarded as the best way to prevent getting the flu, but it takes up to two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.
Anyone who is interested in receiving a flu vaccination can call 751-8110 to schedule an appointment at the Flathead City-County Health Department’s Immunization Clinic.