Local

With flu season approaching, series of vaccination clinics scheduled in Mahoning County

By Mahoning Matters staff
In this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo, a patient receives an influenza vaccine in Mesquite, Texas.
In this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo, a patient receives an influenza vaccine in Mesquite, Texas. (LM Otero | AP Photo, File)

Mahoning County Public Health will host flu shot clinics at various locations throughout the county beginning later this month.

In a news release, the health department recommends flu shots for everyone age 6 months and older and people at high risk of developing flu-related complications, including:

  • Children ages 6 months to 5 years old;

  • Adults age 50 and older;

  • Pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum;

  • Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities;

  • Those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, blood disorders, diabetes, extreme obesity and kidney, liver or endocrine disorders.

  • Those with weakened immune systems due to diseases such as cancer, HIV or AIDS and/or medications such as chronic steroid use or long-term aspirin use in people younger than age 19.

There have been fewer cases of the flu the past two winters, likely due to precautions taken against COVID-19, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said during a news conference on vaccines Thursday.

But with the easing of those precautions and more indoor gatherings in the colder months ahead, “the chance for the flu to make a big comeback is very real,” Vanderhoff said. With other countries already experiencing increased flu levels, he recommends getting a fall flu shot.

Here’s the schedule for Mahoning County Public Health’s flu shot clinics (an appointment isn’t required):

  • Sept. 28: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Southern Park Mall’s Center Court, 7401 Market St., Boardman;

  • Sept. 29: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mahoning County Public Health, 50 Westchester Drive, Austintown;

  • Oct. 4: Noon to 2 p.m., Berlin Township Building, Weidemier House, 15823 Akron-Canfield Road, Berlin Center;

  • Oct. 5: 9 a.m. to noon, Boardman United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 6809 Market St., Boardman;

  • Oct. 5: 2 to 5 p.m., Canfield United Methodist Church, 27 S. Broad St., Canfield;

  • Oct. 6: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mahoning County Public Health, 50 Westchester Drive, Austintown;

  • Oct. 13: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mahoning County Public Health, 50 Westchester Drive, Austintown;

  • Oct. 13: 2 to 5 p.m., Woodworth Park, 225 Warren Ave., Poland;

  • Oct. 17: 9 to 11 a.m., Austintown Senior Center, 112 Westchester Drive, Austintown;

  • Oct. 17: 2 to 5 p.m., Poland Township Administration Building, 3339 Dobbins Road, Poland;

  • Oct. 18: 12:30 to 3 p.m., Roosevelt Park Community Center, Campbell;

  • Oct. 19: 1 to 4 p.m., Mauthe Park, 156 Smithfield St., Struthers;

  • Oct. 20: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mahoning County Public Health, 50 Westchester Drive, Austintown;

  • Oct. 27: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mahoning County Public Health, 50 Westchester Drive, Austintown;

  • Nov. 3: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mahoning County Public Health, 50 Westchester Drive, Austintown.

The Trumbull County Combined Health District also offers flu vaccinations at its COVID-19 vaccination clinics. The schedule for this week’s clinics can be viewed here.