October 12, 2005 — Flu and pneumonia shots will be available for senior citizens this year's Mississippi State Fair. The vaccination clinic will be located at the front entrance of the Coliseum on Wednesday, October 12, 2005, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Senior citizens should bring their Medicaid and Medicare cards or be prepared to pay the $20 vaccination fee.

The Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) encourages people at high risk, including adults age 65 and older, to get their flu and pneumonia vaccinations now.

High-risk individuals include:

• adults age 65 or older;
• residents of long-term care facilities;
• individuals with long-term health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, lung diseases such as asthma, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, blood disorders such as anemia, or a weakened immune system;
• children aged 6-23 months;
• women who are pregnant or will be pregnant during this flu season (12/05-03/06);
• healthcare personnel who provide direct patient care; and
• anyone who lives with or cares for children less than six months old.

Mississippi's flu season typically begins in late December or early January and runs through March. Adult flu vaccine costs $20 and pediatric flu vaccine costs $10. Pneumonia vaccine will also be available for a cost of $30. High-risk Mississippians displaced by Hurricane Katrina may be eligible for shots at a reduced fee.

"The most dangerous complication of the flu is pneumonia. The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to simply get a flu shot," said MDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Mills McNeill. "We also want to encourage high-risk individuals to go ahead and get their pneumonia shot as well."

Typical symptoms of the flu include fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose; headache; muscle aches; and, often, extreme fatigue.

Flu and pneumonia vaccines are now available to high-risk Mississippians at all county health department clinics, with the exception of the Hancock County Health Department. Hancock County residents may obtain their flu and pneumonia vaccines at the MDH Mobile Clinic located at the Kmart parking lot in Waveland.

Complete list of county health department clinics

For flu and pneumonia vaccination information, visit our flu pages or call toll-free 1-877-978-6453 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. or after work hours 1-866-HLTHY4U (1-866-458-4948).

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Press Contact: Liz Sharlot or Kelly French, (601) 576-7667