Flu shot clinic provides service to community

IRONWOOD – Staff from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, Aspirus Grand View Hospital, the Iron County Health Department, and students from the Gogebic Community College School of Nursing provided flu shots Saturday for the seventh year in a row at the Lindquist Student Center at GCC.

Zona Wick, director of the Iron County Health Department, said mostly seniors attended the morning clinic, which included a drive-up service.

It was not overly busy this year, but Wick said she hopes as many people as possible will get a flu shot this season.

The annual flu shot clinic is an essential event for this area, Wick said. It allows the local health departments to meet their requirements for an emergency preparedness experience, gives GCC nursing students the opportunity to meet their volunteer hour requirements and also provides an important service to the community.

Annual flu shots are recommended for everyone 6 months or older. However, the target demographic is young children, those over the age of 65, pregnant women and individuals that suffer from asthma, diabetes and chronic lung conditions. These specific groups are at the greatest risk for flu related complications.

“Getting an annual flu vaccine is still the single best strategy to prevent flu and to stay healthy during the coming flu season. Vaccinations protect you, your family and your neighbors because when more of us are vaccinated, less flu circulates within the community,” said WUPHD Medical Director Dr. Terry Frankovich.

Wick said, “Thanks to all the volunteers that make it a huge success. Without the volunteers, we are nothing. We work like a well-oiled machine. It gets easier and easier every year.”

For more information about flu vaccines, contact your local health department.