Duplin flu vaccines available
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on November 19, 2006 2:00 AM
With flu season starting to warm up, the Duplin County Health Department has flu vaccines available.
"We're giving flu vaccines every day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.," county health director Ila Davis said. "Anybody who needs a flu shot, they're ongoing. We've got people out there now waiting to get it."
Already this year, the department has given out about 500 adult vaccines, some of which were taken directly to county nursing homes and businesses.
"If somebody wants us to do that, we will," she said.
Health officials also gave out about 100 vaccines designated by the state for children and about another 50 for pregnant women.
But the county health department isn't the only place in Duplin County people can get their flu shots.
"They can go to their primary care providers, and they've even offered them at CVS and Wal-Mart," Mrs. Davis said.
The important thing, she continued, is that people get vaccinated.
"We had two children who tested positive for the flu (Monday)," Mrs. Davis said. "People definitely should get the flu vaccine.
"It seems we're seeing flu illnesses earlier this year. We're definitely recommending people get the flu vaccine this year."
The health department, at 340 Seminary St., Kenansville, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Adult flu vaccines are free for people with insurance, whether through private insurers, Medicaid or Medicare. For those without insurance, the cost is $30. The county's adult vaccines are purchased directly from private providers. Vaccines for children and pregnant women, which are provided by the state, are free.