— Flu shots at Muskogee County Health Department are now being given. Appointments are required.

The flu vaccine is available for anyone who wants to be protected from influenza. The shot is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older, according to a media release.

Persons at high risk of serious complications from flu are strongly encouraged to get the flu vaccine, including pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung disease or other chronic conditions.

Parents and family members of babies less than 6 months of age and people who live with or care for anyone at high risk for complications from the flu, including health care workers, should also get the vaccine.

Public health officials stress that immunity from a flu vaccination received last year will not provide protection this year. Influenza vaccine formulation for this year includes two strains different from last year’s flu vaccine, as well as the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain.

Influenza virus samples collected from around the world indicate these strains of influenza virus are the most likely to cause illness during the coming flu season.

The Muskogee County Health Department will be providing flu vaccine using the following fee schedule:

• No charge for families whose income is less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

• No charge for adults 65 and older.

• No charge for children who have no health insurance, or are on SoonerCare or are Native American or Alaskan natives, or children whose insurance does not cover vaccines.

• Children and adults with health insurance that covers vaccines and those with incomes above 185 percent of the poverty level will be charged $25 per dose to cover the cost of the vaccine and the cost of administering the vaccine.

• The Health Department will accept cash, checks or credit cards.

High-dose flu vaccine, a vaccine with four times the antigen than regular flu vaccine, will be available for people 65 and older.

People 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions should ask a doctor whether they should also be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is a common and potentially serious complication of the flu. The pneumococcal vaccine does not need to be given every year.

Appointments and information: Muskogee County Health Department, (918) 683-0321 or toll-free (877) 596-1596.