Officials set three clinics to dole out flu vaccines

More than a week into autumn, the Columbia County Department of Health has scheduled three clinics to administer flu vaccines to residents before winter and the flu season arrive.

The clinics, slated for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, are open to the public.

"(We'll be there) until vaccine runs out. Last year we ran out early on Friday and people were really upset," said Phyllis Roland, the Health Department's facility administrator. "So I want to stress that once it is gone, we'll put a sign up that it is gone ... We only can give what we have until it runs out."

All vaccination clinics this week will be held in the Evans Government Center auditorium in Building A on Ronald Reagan Drive in Evans.

Roland said Thursday that she was expecting to pick up 540 of the 3,500 flu vaccine doses she ordered by last Friday.

"They are shipping in staggered intervals," Roland said, adding that other scheduled clinic dates throughout October for schools and rural parts of the county will be confirmed when the remaining 2,960 doses arrive. If the doses do not arrive or arrive later than expected, Roland said, alternate clinic dates will be scheduled.

Each vaccine costs $20. Residents are required to bring in their Medicaid, Medicare Part B or PeachCare cards along with their health plan identification (CMO) cards. Cash, checks and money orders will be accepted at all clinics, but credit cards will be accepted only at clinics held at Health Department locations.

For more information, call the Health Department at (706) 868-3330.