Stephanie Ferguson, team leader at the Department of State Health Services Big Spring field office, said vaccinations against season flu will be available at the DSHS clinic in College Park Shopping Center beginning Oct. 7.

Starting on that date and continuing every Wednesday after, the clinic will offer flu shots for those 6 months of age and older at a cost of $10 per vaccination. People on Medicare and Medicaid will not be charged, Ferguson said.

The vaccinations will be dispensed on a first come, first served basis. No appointment is necessary.

The vaccinations to be offered are an updated version of the regular flu shots people normally get every year, Ferguson said, but are not designed to protect against the H1N1 flu strain. Vaccinations for that strain, commonly called swine flu, will be available later in the month.

“We won't get those until the end of October,” Ferguson said. “If we do get them earlier, it will be a surprise. Some healthcare providers may get the vaccinations before we do.”

So far, Howard County has escaped the H1N1 scare — Ferguson said her office has not received any reports of that strain of flu in this area. Despite that bit of good news, Ferguson said she understands people's concerns.

“The symptoms are the same (with H1N1 and other flu strains). The only difference is that H1N1 is a strain of flu our bodies aren't used to.”

Flu symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, cough, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea.

The seasonal flu vaccinations will not protect against H1N1. If people receive the H1N1 vaccinations, they don't have to get the seasonal shots, but it is recommended, Ferguson noted.

Ferguson said there are common-sense steps people can take to lower their risk of infection, including regular washing of hands, covering one's nose with a tissue when sneezing and avoiding persons who are sick with the flu.

Dr. Scott W. Barclay, a local physician who specializes in family medicine, seconded Ferguson's comments.

“The best way to avoid a cold or flu is to minimize your risks of illness,” Barclay said in a statement. “The number-one tactic to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to get both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations.”

The next line of prevention is to minimize your exposure, Barclay added.

“If a H1N1 outbreak hits your area before you're vaccinated, be extra cautious,” he stated. “Stay away from public gathering places like malls, sporting events and churches. Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your eyes, nose and mouth. And remember, you cannot catch H1N1 from eating or touching pork or poultry.”

If you contract the flu, treatment is basically the same, regardless of strain. Ferguson and Barclay both urge people to visit their healthcare provider, as well as taking such time-honored steps as getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water or juice

“For mild cases of influenza, plenty of rest, liquids and over-the-counter medicines will help ease symptoms,” Barclay said. “Over-the-counter cold and flu medications may help lessen symptoms like a cough and congestion, but these medications will not reduce your likelihood of spreading the flu.”

For more information on vaccinations, contact the DSHS clinic at 263-9775 or your healthcare provider.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it