Flu Shots slated for Friday

Carson-Tahoe Hospital will again offer free flu shots clinic on the northeast end of the Carson Mall from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday.

No one will be turned away, but the hospital's clinic is primarily for high-risk individuals.

Those who miss the clinic can get their vaccinations at the Nevada State Community Health Office, located at 1711 N. Roop St. Shots cost $5. For details, call 887-2195.

Vaccines that should have arrived in October showed up in November this year. It's a nationwide problem and Carson City is no exception.

Every year, the Center for Disease Control determines which strains of flu virus should be included in the vaccine, but this year manufacturers had trouble producing one of those strains.

Due to the shortage, the Center for Disease Control recommends that high- risk individuals be vaccinated first.

People over 65, residents of nursing homes, adults and children with chronic pulmonary disorders, or those with chronic metabolic diseases such diabetes, kidney function problems, or those immunosuppressed in any way are considered high risk.

Others in this category are children or teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy, or women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season, which runs from November through March.