With the flu and cold season around the corner, Flathead County will host its annual flu shot clinic in Kalispell on Oct. 8.  

The clinic will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. Shots will be available for individuals aged 6 months and older, in line with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.  

Despite the debate in Washington, D.C., over the efficacy and safety of vaccines, the federal recommendations surrounding flu vaccines have not changed. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months or older get a yearly flu shot. 

That has been the "universal" recommendation since the 2010-2011 influenza season according to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. 

“We are very supportive of our community getting vaccines,” said Dr. Cory Short, Chief Medical Officer at Logan Health. “I know there is a lot of information out there right now, no question ... if you have concerns, we strongly encourage people to reach out to their providers.” 

Last year, the United States saw the highest number of flu-related child deaths in 15 years. Tens of thousands of people die nationwide from the flu every winter, but last year 280 children died of flu-related complications, the CDC reported. Of them, 89% were not fully vaccinated. 

Getting the flu vaccine every year doesn’t necessarily mean an individual won’t get influenza ever, Short said, but it does make the symptoms less severe.  

Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season, the CDC states. This year’s vaccine is a “trivalent” vaccine, meaning it protects against three different viruses: two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus. 

“Flu vaccines are especially important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza,” Flathead City-County Health Department Program Manager Mandie Fleming said in a statement. 

These include people 65 and older, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions and children under 5 years old, Fleming said, particularly those under 2 years old.

Those with certain chronic health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and neurological conditions, are encouraged to get the vaccine, she said. 

Attendees at the county clinic should plan to bring their ID and insurance card. Most insurance plans, Medicaid and Medicare will be accepted, and the clinic will have options for reduced cost flu vaccines for those without insurance.  

No child will be refused the vaccine due to an inability to pay, Fleming said.  

The Montanna Veterans Affairs Health Care System is also launching a vaccination campaign on Oct. 7 with statewide flu clinics. The Kalispell clinic will be held at the Kalispell VA Clinic at 31 Three Mile Drive, Suite 102, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

Health care providers also recommend yearly vaccines to prevent other respiratory diseases, like RSV and Covid-19. 

While the county clinic will not include vaccines for RSV or Covid-19 this year, the Health Department will provide them at its facility. Appointments can be scheduled at flatheadhealth.org or at 406-751-8110. 

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].