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On Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 6, Nation’s Medicines in Russellville will be hosting a flu clinic as a part of a nationwide pilot program to help improve the health of all Americans. Nation’s Medicines is one of a growing number of health organizations across the country participating in Vote & Vax, a national project to encourage the hosting of flu clinics on Election Day. This years flu clinic will be set up at the Nation’s store on Hopkinsville Road. The clinic will be held during normal business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Each year, as many as 60 million people in the United States come down with the flu. Hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and more than 36,000 people die as a result of the flu.

It is important that people take all precautions to ensure they stay healthy. This is why Nation’s Medicines is providing voters and other community members with easy access to flu shots to help protect their health and the health of their community.

“Great effort is expended on Election Day to get people to the polls.” says Scott Yates, pharmacist at Nation’s Medicines. “It is our hope that while people are out to vote, they will also come by our store and get a flu vaccine if they haven’t already done so this season. We aim to help vaccinate many people who may not otherwise have been reached,” added Yates.

For more information about Nation’s Medicines Vote & Vax Clinic, call 270-726-8451 and speak with a pharmacist.

Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why should people get vaccinated against the flu?

Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older. The “seasonal flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May.

During this time, flu viruses are circulating in the population. An annual seasonal flu vaccine (either the flu shot or the nasal-spray flu vaccine) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal flu and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu can spread through that community.

How do flu vaccines work?

Flu vaccines (the flu shot and the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)) cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Three kinds of influenza viruses commonly circulate among people today: influenza B viruses, influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Each year, one flu virus of each kind is used to produce seasonal influenza vaccine.

Who Should Get Vaccinated This Season?

Everyone who is at least 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine this season. It’s especially important for some people to get vaccinated. Those people include the following:

* People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu. This includes:

* People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.

* Pregnant women.

* People 65 years and older

* People who live with or care for others who are high risk of developing serious complications. This includes: household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.