Escambia County citizens will once again have an opportunity to get a flu shot on the go as a drive-through flu clinic is held Friday in Atmore.

Staff members of the Escambia County Health Department will be on hand at Tom Byrne Park beginning at 7 a.m. Friday to administer vaccinations at the clinic. The vaccinations will be administered until 2 p.m.

The clinic is also being supported by the City of Atmore, the Atmore office of the American Red Cross and the Escambia County Emergency Management Agency as well as other local agencies.

The clinic, previously held in Brewton, will be held as a means to offer the influenza vaccine to as many citizens as possible in the county. The free flu shot will be administered to those at the event without need of the recipient leaving their vehicle.

In addition to providing flu shots for residents, the clinic will also serve as an exercise for personnel to test emergency protocols for events that would require mass vaccination.

Flu outbreaks generally occur from November to March in Alabama.  The symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and fatigue.  For most people the flu lasts only a few days, but for others it can lead to pneumonia and other breathing problems.  It can cause fever and seizures in children.

In addition to getting a flu shot, the public is reminded to follow basic infection control measures.  These include covering the mouth when coughing and frequent hand washing.

For more information on the immunization clinic, please call the Escambia County Health Department in Atmore at 251-368-9188 or the Brewton office of the Escambia County Health Department at 867-5765.