The Hawaii Medical Service Association's annual community flu shot clinics for HMSA, HMSA 65C Plus and HMSA QUEST members will get under way this week.
Clinics will be conducted through early November, and will be held on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island. (See schedule below.)
HMSA, HMSA 65C Plus and HMSA QUEST members age 18 and older may receive flu shots at no cost, while supplies last. Members must show their HMSA card and a photo ID. There will be no charge for Medicare Part B beneficiaries who show their Medicare card and a photo ID. Nonmembers may get an immunization for $35.
At the Seniors' Fair on O'ahu, set for Friday through Sunday, flu shots and pneumococcal shots will be provided in the HMSA booth. At all other community clinics, only flu shots will be provided.
Who should get a flu shot?
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by a virus, so antibiotics will not help. The best prevention is to get a flu shot each fall. Flu shots are recommended for individuals 65 and above, residents of long-term-care facilities, workers providing direct care to patients, pregnant women, children ages 6 months to 59 months, caregivers of children less than 6 months of age, and people with chronic conditions such as heart or lung problems, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer or HIV/AIDS.
Who should avoid a flu shot?
People should consult their doctor if they are allergic to eggs, have had a severe reaction to a flu shot in the past, or have Guillain-Barre syndrome (a rare form of nerve damage). Flu shots should not be given to children under 6 months old or to anyone with a fever.
HMSA 2007 community flu shot clinics
O'ahu
Friday — Seniors' Fair - Neal Blaisdell Center, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday — Seniors' Fair - Neal Blaisdell Center, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday — Seniors' Fair - Neal Blaisdell Center, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 — Koko Marina 8 Theatre, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Sept. 25 — Pearlridge West 16 Theatre, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Sept. 26 — Longs - Mo'ili'ili, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Longs - Mililani Town Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sept. 27 — Longs - Kamehameha Shopping Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sept. 28 — Longs - Pearl City, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sept. 28 — Longs - Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sept. 29 — Leeward Community College - #LA 104, 105, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 1 — Longs - Pali, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 1 — Longs - Kahala, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oct. 2 — Longs - 'Ewa Beach, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 2 — Longs - Manoa, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Don Quijote - Kailua, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Mililani 14 Theatre, 8:30 a.m. to Noon
Oct. 4 — Don Quijote - Waipahu, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 4 — Don Quijote - Pearl City, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 5 — Don Quijote - Kaheka, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 9 — Longs - Hawai'i Kai, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Ward Warehouse - Kakaako Room, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 11 — Marukai Wholesale Mart - Kalihi, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 13 — Longs - Kapolei, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 20 — HMSA Center - MPR, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Kapolei 16 Theatre, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Oct. 27 — Windward Community College - Hale Akoakoa, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 29 — Marukai Market Place - Ward Center, Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 30 — Castle Medical Center - Wellness Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Big Island
Oct. 10 — Longs - Hilo Prince Kuhio, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 16 — Longs - Kailua, Kona, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Foodland - Kamuela, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Kealakekua Ranch Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nov. 1 — Longs - Ke'eau, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kaua'i
Oct. 11 — Kukui Grove Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 12 — Foodland - Princeville, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 25 — Kaua'i PrimeTime Wellness Fair - War Memorial Hall, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Nov. 6 — Wilcox Memorial Hospital, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Maui
Sept. 27 — Maui PrimeTime Wellness Fair - Wailuku Community Center, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Oct. 9 — Longs - Kahului, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Moloka'i
Oct. 22 Molokai General Hospital, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
