October 2, 2007
Health District Prepares Panhandle for Flu Season

Hayden, Idaho - Flu season is beginning and will linger in northern Idaho until spring. To help Panhandle residents fight the annual virus, Panhandle Health District (PHD) will offer flu shots at a variety of sites throughout Kootenai County.

The flu kills 36,000 people in the United States every year and hospitalizes more than 200,000 people each year with complications. Flu shots offer some protection from the virus. Good prevention practices include regular hand washing, covering your cough and sneezing in your sleeve.

The flu is a respiratory illness that spreads quickly and easily. People with symptoms-fever, dry cough, sore throat, body aches, malaise-should stay home to protect others from catching the virus.

PHD's first series of flu shot clinics will offer adult vaccine for $25, payable with Medicare, Medicaid, cash or check. Flu mist for healthy children ages 5 to 18 costs $5. Flu shots for high-risk children ages 6 months to 18 years is also available for $5 each. No appointment is necessary. Clinics are scheduled:

Kootenai County --

• Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lake City Senior Center, 1916 N. Lakewood Dr. in Coeur d'Alene.
• Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rathdrum Senior Center, 8037 W. Montana St. in Rathdrum.
• Oct. 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spirit Lake Community/Senior Center, 32564 N. Fourth Ave. in Spirit Lake.

To stay informed of PHD flu shot clinics, call PHD's information line, 415-5299.

Benewah County --

• Oct. 10, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Maries Senior Meal Site
• Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fernwood Senior Meal Site
• Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Harrison Grange
• Oct. 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Medimont Grange
• Oct. 22, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Tensed Senior Meal Site
• Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Plummer Senior Meal Site
• Oct. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Worley Senior Meal Site
• Oct. 24, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the St. Maries Senior Meal Site
• Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Avery School
• Oct. 31, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Calder Store

For information, call 245-4556.

Bonner County --

Panhandle Health District (PHD) will offer flu shots for adults Friday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Bonner Mall. Flu shots at the Bonner Mall Friday cost $25 and are payable with Medicare (Part A and B are necessary), Medicaid, cash and check. Enter the mall through the entrance near J.C. Penney and turn right. No appointment is necessary. For information on children's flu shots, call PHD at 263-5159.

Boundary County --

 Panhandle Health District will offer adult flu shots Oct. 15 from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. at its office, 7402 Caribou, Bonners Ferry. No appointment is necessary. Flu shots at PHD's Oct. 15 clinic cost $25 and are payable with Medicare Part B, Medicaid, cash or check. Flu clinics for children in the Bonners Ferry area are pending. For information, call Paulette Ketner, 267-5558.

Shoshone County -- To be announced.

PHD will announce more clinics as they're scheduled this fall. To stay informed of PHD flu shot clinics, call PHD's information line, 415-5299