ROGERS -- Benton County residents have two chances to receive free flu shots next week.
The flu vaccination clinics are being offered through the Benton County Health Unit of the Arkansas Department of Health, according to a news release from Loy Bailey, health unit administrator.
The clinics are scheduled for:
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Siloam Springs Health Unit Annex, 101 W. University St., Siloam Springs
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 27, Benton County Health Unit, 1200 W. Walnut St., Suite 2200, Rogers
People who have insurance should bring their insurance cards with them to the clinic, the release states. If people do not have insurance or their insurance does not cover flu shots, the vaccine will still be available at no charge.
"We want Benton County residents to stay healthy this flu season, and getting a yearly flu vaccination is the best line of defense," Bailey said. "We encourage everyone to come to the community clinic or the local health unit to get their flu shot."
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for most adults and children 6 months and older, according to the release. The flu virus changes from year to year, and this year's vaccine protects against the flu viruses that are expected to cause the most illness this flu season.
"The flu should not be taken lightly," said Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, the state's chief medical officer. "We are encouraging everyone to get a flu shot to protect themselves and their families, because it is hard to predict in advance how severe the flu season is going to be."
People of all ages can get the flu, and certain people are more likely to have serious health problems if they get the flu. This includes older adults, young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), people who smoke and people who live in nursing homes.
Therefore, the Department of Health strongly recommends people in those groups get a flu vaccine. It is also recommended that friends, family members and people who provide care to people in those groups also get a vaccine, the release states.