COLUMBIA – With regular seasonal influenza season approaching, South Carolinians are encouraged by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to get their seasonal flu vaccinations,

“Regular seasonal flu vaccine is now available statewide,” said Jerry Gibson, M.D., director of DHEC’s Bureau of Disease Control. “The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get a seasonal flu shot. It’s especially important for those with a higher risk for flu-related complications, as well as those who live with or care for people at high risk. The vaccine provides immunity not only for the person who receives it, but also for the community at large when more people are protected.”

According to Dr. Gibson, flu is a very serious illness in South Carolina. Each year about 700 people die from seasonal flu in our state, and more than 4,000 South Carolinians are admitted to a hospital. Flu is a leading cause of death for people age 65 years and older.

“Anyone can get the flu, even healthy people,” Dr. Gibson said. “The elderly, very young children and people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease are more likely to have complications from seasonal flu.”

Dr. Gibson countered a popular myth by saying that you will not get the flu from the seasonal flu shot. He also reminded people to prevent the spread of the flu by covering your cough, washing your hands thoroughly and often, and staying home when you are sick.

Dr. Gibson said seasonal influenza vaccine is available in physicians’ offices and communities. DHEC’s county public health departments are also offering flu shot clinics. Vaccination clinics are scheduled at the Cherokee County Public Health Department, 400 S. Logan St., on Friday, Oct. 16, and Friday, Oct. 23, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Appointments may be made by calling 487-2703, option 0. The cost of the seasonal flu shot is $25. Payment may be made by cash, check, Medicaid or Medicare. Bring your Medicaid or Medicare Part B card with you if you have one and wear a short-sleeved shirt. Other vaccines that you can get at your visit include the Pneumonia vaccine and Tetanus/Diphtheria/ Pertussis vaccines.

H1N1 vaccine clinics have not yet begun; visit scdhec.gov/flu for updated information. For the H1N1 vaccine, there will be no out of pocket charge to the public at DHEC clinics.

Children and adolescents, ages 6 months through 18 years of age, are eligible for free seasonal flu vaccine through the DHEC Vaccine Assurance For All Children Immunization Partnership, which is available in many doctors’ offices, community health centers and DHEC’s county public health departments.