First flu case of the season in Arkansas confirmed

• Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two years old
• Pregnant women
• Those over 65 years of age
• People who have:
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease)
• Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis) Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus)
• Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease)
• Kidney disorders
• Liver disorders
• Neurological and neuro-developmental conditions (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy [seizure disorders], stroke, intellectual disability [mental retardation], moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy or spinal cord injuries)
• Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
• Neuromuscular disorders (such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)
• Weakened immune systems due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, cancer or those on chronic steroids)
• People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

School flu clinics started around the state this week and are scheduled through December. Check with your school district to find out when the school clinics in your area are planned.

Beginning the last week in October and the first week of November, the ADH will provide seasonal flu vaccine at mass flu clinics in every county. A mass flu clinic is a day-long event during which the community comes together to immunize as many people as possible. ADH staff, health professionals and volunteers work as a team to provide vaccine. Some clinics offer “drive-throughs” – you don’t even leave your car.

Dr. Paul Halverson, state health officer and ADH director, said, “Flu can be a serious illness, and we lose roughly 23,600 Americans to complications from flu each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone six months and older to get the vaccine. Last year, the ADH vaccinated 387,000 Arkansans in school and mass flu clinics. Even with this incredible effort, we lost 11 Arkansans to complications from flu. Preventing the flu is up to you. Please get your vaccine and encourage your family members to do so, too.”

If you have insurance, the ADH will ask your insurance company to pay for the cost of giving the vaccine. If you have insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or ARKids First, bring your cards with you so that we can file with your insurance. If you do not have insurance or your insurance company does not pay, the vaccine will be provided at no charge to you.