Berrien Health Department Holding Flu Shot Clinics

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syringe-safe-4-4

Get your flu shot. That’s the advice of the Berrien County Health Department as it has started offering free clinics at its offices in Benton Harbor and Niles every Friday beginning. The first one was this Friday, and they will continue holding them each Friday throughout the season. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the flu shot is recommended every year for anyone over six months of age.

“It’s especially recommended for certain groups that are considered at highest risk for flu illness, including young children, pregnant women, and people who have chronic health conditions and are over the age of 65, which also happens to be a high risk category for COVI-19 as well,” Conrad said.

Conrad says you can stop by the Berrien County Health Department offices on Fridays, or you can go to drive-through flu shot clinics planned for the coming weeks at various locations. You can see them below. All you do is drive up and roll down your window.

“We recommend people wear layers if they’re going to be coming to one of our drive-through locations. If you’re wearing a jacket, wear a short sleeved underneath it. So no tight shirts, tight dresses, those sorts of things that would be difficult to get off because you’re going to need to expose your upper arm to get that flu shot.”

With this year belonging to COVID-19, Conrad says it’s important to keep respiratory infections like the flu down so hospitals have the space to treat COVID patients. In addition to getting the flu vaccine, she recommends frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with anyone who’s sick, and staying home if you are sick.

Drive-through flu vaccination clinics will be held at the following locations in Berrien County:

Wednesday, October 28th from 11am-4pm, Benton Harbor Charter Academy

Wednesday, November 4th from 11am-4pm, Chikaming Fire Department

Saturday, November 7th from 11am-4pm, Niles (final location to be determined)

Wednesday October 7th Drive through clinic Medical Office Building, 48 N St Joseph Ave, Niles located on WEST side of building 8 am to 5 pm

Wednesday, October 14th Drive through clinic Cedarwood Medical Center 820 Lester Ave, St Joseph 8am to 4pm