NMDOH plans free flu-vaccine clinics

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The state Public Health Office will be offering flu vaccine at no cost during three free clinics in November. Appointments are required and can be made by calling the clinics.

The vaccine will be distributed on these dates:

Saturday Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Stanford Public Health Office
• 1111 Stanford Dr. NE
• (505) 841-4100

Thursday Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Southeast Heights Public Health Office
• 7525 Zuni Road SE
• (505) 841-8928

Tuesday Nov. 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Southwest Valley Public Health Office
• 2001 North Centro Familiar
• (505) 873-7477

The New Mexico Department of Health also released this information on Wednesday:

New Mexico Department of Health Public Health offices around the state provide vaccine to people who are at high risk for serious illness or death from complications of flu, and people who have no health insurance.

The Department of Health recommends the following high-risk groups get vaccinated against the flu every year:

• Children 6 months through four years of age
• Pregnant women (any trimester) People age 50 and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, lung or heart disease, and those who are immunosuppressed from medication or disease
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu
• American Indians and Alaskan Natives
• People who are morbidly obese
• Health care personnel

Many of the people at high risk for flu complications should also get a pneumonia shot if they have never had one. To avoid catching the flu or passing it on to others, people should frequently wash their hands, cover their mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing and stay home when ill.