By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
Staff reports
The Escambia County Health Department will begin holding walk-in flu vaccination clinics in mid-October.
Only high-risk individuals will receive flu vaccines in October.
High-risk individuals include individuals 65 and older, individuals with chronic health problems and children ages six to 23 months.
The the general population will be able to receive the flu vaccine beginning in November.
Flu vaccines will be held in Brewton on Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and continuing through the month of November.
Flu vaccines will also be held in Atmore on Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 11 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and continuing through the month of November.
Last year's flu season, flu vaccines were in high demand, and some high-risk individuals were unable to receive proper vaccinations.
However, Vonda Buckhault, who is with the Department of Public health in Atmore, said things will be different this year.
According to Dan St. Onge, an immunization manager, there are predictions that it will be a bad flu season, but time will tell.
Predictions are typically based on what happens health-wise in the north as it gradually trickles down, but St. Onge said right now it's too early to tell. The flu typically rolls around when the weather gets colder.