As temperatures get cooler in Guthrie and Adair counties, now is the time to get an annual flu vaccine. The Adair County Health System is hosting a flu vaccine clinic today in Stuart. They are offering flu shots for a variety of ages, the Pneumococcal vaccine for those eligible, and state-funded flu vaccine is available to qualifying children.

Tiffany Johnson with the Adair County Health System stresses how getting vaccinated helps create a healthier community. “Getting a flu shot doesn’t just protect you but it protects those around you that maybe can’t get the vaccine for different health reasons. And [it] kind of reduces the spread of influenza which they’ve already had some positives in the state, not necessarily right in our county but it’s already here. So that’s going to make for a long flu season and if anybody has really, truly had influenza they know how awful that makes a person feel.”

Symptoms of influenza include: fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, muscle aches, and stomach symptoms. The flu may cause mild to severe illness and lead to death. No appointment is needed for the flu vaccine clinic and it lasts from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. today at the Adair County Medical Clinic in Stuart. Other areas where you can get a flu shot are pharmacies, clinics, hospitals and your own medical provider.