Saint Louis County health officials are pleased with the turnout of the first of three free flu shots clinics underway this week to curb the recent spike of severe H1N1 flu cases that has sent hundreds of otherwise healthy people to the hospital, with nine deaths reported.
“At first, I wasn’t taking it that seriously until I heard about the deaths,” said Hillsdale mother of 12, Susan Beckton. She and four sons received their flu vaccines early in the day. She said five of her daughters were getting their shots by mid-afternoon.
A health department spokesman said city residents are welcome to visit one of the County clinics to get the influenza vaccine at no cost. Hundreds of individuals and family members were in line at noon to get the injection at the Jennings Station Road site today. Four nurses were set up to deliver the vaccine, after about an hour the line cleared and families with small children were able to walk right in to get the flu vaccine.
Tomorrow, St. Louis County will hold a second free flu shot clinic at the John C. Murphy Health Center at the Health Dept.’s main campus, 6121 N. Hanley Rd. in Berkeley, Mo. Noon until 4 p.m. The third clinic takes place on Thursday at the South County Health Center, located at 4580 S. Lindbergh Blvd. in Sunset Hills, Mo., from Noon until 4 p.m.
For a fee, flu vaccine is still available in St. Louis City, County and St. Charles, ranging from sliding scale with proof of income at St. Louis health centers to $25-$40 at area urgent care centers and pharmacy clinics.
