With flu season just around the corner, the Grayson County Health Department is kicking off its first flu clinic with prevention in mind.

Registered nurse Sandy Clark says she feels certain the health department will be able to administer the 2,000 doses it has to distribute this year, if they can schedule enough clinics and get the vaccine in stock fast enough.

“We can do all 2,000 vaccinations if we get started early,” said Clark. “The problem with us getting started early is we don't know exactly when the vaccine will be available. We can't schedule clinics if the manufacturer can't give us definite dates.”

Clark said the health department usually schedules 3 flu clinics at St. Joseph's Parish Hall, and then one at Walmart and also does some factory-based clinics if requested.

The first clinic for this year is set for Oct. 12 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. with an hour off for lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. The next is set for Oct. 18th, and then another on Oct. 19th only from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Clark said there are no restrictions to obtain a flu shot other than being at least 18 years old.

The cost for this year's vaccination will be $23.

Although she said she doesn't really see a whole lot of cases of the flu in Grayson County, it's still very important to get vaccinated.

“It can be dangerous. People still die from it,” she explained. “Kids and older people are more immune compromised. They don't fight it off as well.”

In fact, influenza often turns into pneumonia for older adults and children because of weaker immune systems.

She said in recent years, health officials have been focusing on vaccinating more and more children.

“It's a big help for school children to get a flu shot,” she said. “It keeps so many from missing school due to sickness.”

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports there should be no shortage in flu vaccine this year. In fact, CDC officials expect a record 132 million doses of flu vaccine will be available this year.

In kicking off their annual campaign the CDC hopes convince people to get the vaccine, officials advocated administering it for a longer period - past the usual October and November time frame. They said the flu season generally peaks in February.

Clark said she hopes to give all 2,000 doses the health department has available.

“What happens sometimes is we don't have enough and people get tired of waiting and they go somewhere else and then when we get more in stock, we don't use it all,” Clark explained.

The CDC said flu kills about 36,000 people and sends 200,000 into the hospital in the United States annually.

Clark invites the public to call the health department with questions at 270.259.3141.