Cherokee Nation Health Services holds clinics for flu vaccine

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation is preparing for the upcoming flu season, and its health services department has an increased supply of vaccinations on hand to offer multiple flu clinics in October and November for Cherokees and citizens of federally recognized tribes.

Some Cherokee Nation health centers started flu clinics in their communities on Oct. 1. Physicians recommend getting vaccinated as early as possible.

“Flu season is responsible for a lot of hospitalizations of children and elders. It’s so important that everybody-- kids and adults -- receive their flu vaccination before flu season starts,” said W.W. Hastings Hospital Chief of Pediatrics Dr. Dante Perez. “Vaccines allow our bodies to develop antibodies against the virus given time. It’s not automatic, and it doesn’t happen immediately. That’s why it’s so important to get it done early.”

Cherokee Nation’s eight health centers and W.W. Hastings Hospital received more than 50,000 doses of the flu vaccine altogether. Flu clinics will be set up in more than 50 locations, including health centers and schools, to provide tribal citizens and their families with easier access to the vaccinations.

Last year, Cherokee Nation Health Services administered about 35,000 flu vaccines, nearly double the amount from 2012. By adding several weeks to the flu clinic schedule, Cherokee Nation health officials hope to increase those figures again before the season peaks in December and January.

“By establishing flu clinics in our health care facilities and communities, having vaccines available at scheduled patient visits and providing this service for a longer period of time, we hope to be even more successful at getting our citizens and their families vaccinated than last year,” said Cherokee Nation’s Infection Preventionist Jennifer Belden. “We are bringing the vaccines to the community by utilizing the public health nurses at several offsite locations. Our employees are dedicated to providing this service and eager to reach out to the community in order to combat this virus.”

All flu clinics are for tribal citizens and their families, including non-Indian family members within the household.

W.W. Hastings Hospital will kick off their flu clinic on Oct. 8. Nurses will be on hand Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., to administer the vaccine. The hospital is located at 100 S. Bliss Ave., Tahlequah. Flu clinics will be set up at several other locations in Cherokee County, such as area schools, through Nov. 14.

Will Rogers Health Center in Nowata County will have a walk-in flu clinic every Monday in October, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is located at 1020 Lenape Drive, Nowata.

Bartlesville Health Clinic’s walk-in clinic is every Tuesday in October, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The clinic is located at 501 E. 5th St., Bartlesville.

For a complete list of flu clinics within the 14-county tribal jurisdiction, visit www.cherokee.org and click the link at the bottom of the page. Flu Clinic information will be updated regularly.