Health department extends flu shot hours Friday

Fear of the flu has driven more and more Tulsans to get the flu shot even though the season is nearly half over.

In order to accommodate larger numbers, the Tulsa Health Department is extending their clinic hours on Fridays.

While doctors and the health department say hand washing and avoidance of those who are sick remain good ways to protect yourself, they emphasize the single best way to protect against the flu and its consequences is to get the flu vaccine.

Flu vaccine is available for anyone who wants to be protected from influenza.

The shot is recommended for everyone over six months old.

Persons at high risk of serious complications from flu are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine, including pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung disease, other chronic conditions or a weakened immune system.

The flu vaccine is available on a walk-in basis Mondays through Fridays 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the following Tulsa Health Department locations:

• James O. Goodwin Health Center located at 5051 S. 129th E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK
• Central Regional Health Center located at 315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK
• North Regional Health and Wellness Center located at 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Tulsa, OK

The flu vaccine is also offered at the following locations:

Bixby Health Center

8120 E. 126th Street

Bixby, OK 74008

Call (918) 369-3155 for clinic dates and times

Collinsville Health Center

1201 W. Center

Collinsville, OK 74021-3111

Call (918) 596-8650 for clinic dates and times

Sand Springs Health Center

306 E. Broadway

Sand Springs, OK   74063-7911

Call (918) 591-6100 for clinic dates and times

The Health Department plans to remain open until 4:00 p.m. on Fridays through the end of February.

Call the Tulsa Health Department at 918-582-WELL (9355) for more information about flu vaccine.

Visit www.health.ok.gov for Oklahoma flu updates posted every Thursday.