Flu shots will be offered to public

YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning County Health District will offer flu shots to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Salvation Army, 1501 Glenwood Ave.
At the same time, the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency will use the flu clinic as an opportunity to test its system for distributing mass inoculations and pharmaceuticals should a bioterrorism or infectious disease outbreak occur, said Walter Duzzny, executive director of the EMA.
Duzzny said the Mahoning County EMA will compare notes with other area EMAs on how to handle mass inoculations, based on their exercises, and then develop a plan using the best ideas and methods.
For the clinic, the health department has 700 doses of flu vaccine available. The cost is $15. The shots are free to people with proof of Medicaid and traditional Medicare coverage. No appointment is needed.
While the flu season in Mahoning County and Ohio has already peaked, there is always a chance that there could be another wave. Thursday's clinic gives people at high risk, such as the elderly and people of all ages with chronic diseases, an opportunity to still get their flu shots. Children who have received their first shot will be able to get their second shot at this clinic, health officials said.