Flu vaccinations to be given on Oct. 30

BENTON COUNTY — Flu shots given during mass-dispensing clinics on Oct. 30 will be free to the public.

Vaccinations for the seasonal flu will be available at three locations in Benton County. The Arkansas Department of Health will provide the service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Riordan Hall in Bella Vista, the Rogers Activity Center at 305 W. Olive St. in Rogers and the Eastgate Church of Christ at 1997 Highway 412 E. in Siloam Springs.

The H1N1 vaccine will also be administered as long as supplies last, said Ed Barham, public information officer for the Health Department.

“We’re hoping to have enough for everyone. We don’t have any control over (how many doses are available),” he said.

Last year, the Health Department vaccinated 125,000 people in four days for the seasonal flu.

“No one in the country even approached that. We are well prepared,” Barham said.

The shots are free to everyone. However, people who would like to offer copies of their insurance cards can do so. Barham said the Arkansas Department of Health will use the information to bill the insurance companies in an effort to recover some of the costs for the clinics.