FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 4, 2007

Health Department opens flu shot clinic

The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department is now offering flu shots to adults and children age 3 and older. The shots are available during regular clinic hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave.

There also will be a special drive-thru flu shot clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the Health Department and from 2-7 p.m. on Oct. 11 at Metro North Mall, 400 N.W. Barry Road. There is a $20 cash only charge for flu shots at the drive-thru clinics.

Flu shots also will be available at the Health Department from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 27.

At any of these clinics, the Health Department will bill Medicare or Missouri Medicaid for those who are eligible and show proof of coverage. Anyone not eligible for these programs will be charged $20; cash and credit cards only will be accepted for payment during the regular clinics. 

At this time, the Health Department has not yet received preservative-free vaccine for small children and infants. Those doses are expected within the next few weeks. If you would like to vaccinate a child under 3 years old, contact the Health Department at (816) 513-6358 to see if that vaccine is available.

Getting a flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu or decrease the length and severity of symptoms. More information on flu shot clinics may be found at the Health Department Web site, www.kcmo.org/health.

Media inquiries about this issue should be directed to Jeff Hershberger, Health Department, (816) 840-2548 (pager).