Baptist Health hosts free flu shot clinics

LITTLE ROCK —  Getting vaccinated against the flu protects not only yourself but your loved ones as well.

Baptist Health Community Outreach is holding free flu shot clinics in October and November for individuals 12 years of age and older at the following Central Arkansas locations:

Bryant

  • Bryant Senior Activity Center, 6401 Boone Road #3 (Bishop Park) 
    • Oct. 12 and Nov. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Jacksonville

  • Nixon Library, 703 W. Main
    • Oct. 13 and Nov. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Little Rock

  • Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, 6221 Colonel Glenn Road
    • Oct. 4 and Nov. 1 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. 
      (Screenings temporarily on hold due to COVID-19)
  • Immerse Arkansas, 5300 Asher Ave.
    • Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 14, and Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon
  • Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road
    • Oct. 20 and Nov. 17 from 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Dunbar Community Center, 1001 W. 16th St.
    • Oct. 21 and Nov. 18 from 9 to 11 a.m.
  • First Presbyterian Church – Stewpot, 800 Scott St.
    • Oct. 21 and Nov. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. 
    • (Screenings temporarily on hold due to COVID-19)

Lonoke

  • Lonoke Community Center, 1355 West Front St.
    • Oct. 26 and Nov. 30 from 9 to 11 a.m.

North Little Rock

  • Patrick Henry Hays Senior Citizen Center, 401 West Pershing
    • Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1 and Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon (Members only)
  • Heaven’s Loft Wellness Center, 518 W. 26th St.
    • Oct. 12 and Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (By appointment only)

Sherwood

  • Sherwood Senior Citizen Community Center, 2301 Thornhill Drive
    • Oct. 5, Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and Nov. 16 from 9 to 11 a.m.

If you have Medicare Part B, bring proof of coverage. Each year in the U.S., 25 to 50 million infections are reported, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and 23,600 die due to seasonal flu.

The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine each year. The vaccine takes one to two weeks to start working and is 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the seasonal flu, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone 6 months of age and older receive the flu vaccine. If your child is between the ages of 6 months and 11 years old, they are ineligible for the Baptist Health Community Outreach flu shot clinics, but you can speak with your child’s pediatrician about getting vaccinated. 

Vaccination against the flu is particularly important for people who are at high risk for serious complications, including:

  • Young children 
  • Pregnant women 
  • People with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease 
  • People 65 years and older 
  • People who live with or care for anyone at high risk for serious flu complications

The vaccine is additionally available at Baptist Health’s primary care and urgent care clinics across the state (insurance filed or nominal fee may apply). To learn more, visit baptist-health.com or call 1.888.BAPTIST.