The Wilkes County Health Department has received a grant that enables it to offer free flu shots to uninsured individuals of all ages.

A walk-in flu clinic for children 6 months through 18 years old will be held on Saturday, January 12th at the Health Department from 9am-1pm with no appointment needed.

Walk-in flu clinic for adults ages 19 and older are available during early January at the Health Department on the following dates (no appointment needed):

* Monday, January 14th 9am-12noon and 1pm-4pm
* Wednesday, January 16th 1pm-4pm
* Thursday, January 17th 9am-12noon and 1pm-4pm

Health Director, Beth Lovette noted that, “The flu season usually peaks in January or February, but can last as long as May, so it is not too late to get a flu shot.” Statistics show that getting the flu results in at least a week of lost work or school time. Each year 36,000 individuals across the US die from the seasonal flu. The complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.

Please call 651-7450 if you have questions regarding these clinics.

Fifth District Representative Virginia Foxx says the recent assassination of Pakistani Opposition Party Leader Benazir Bhutto shows one thing for sure: Al Quaeda is alive and well, and the U-S needs to continue to prosecute the war on terror:

Foxx’s comments came during a Focus on the Foothills Interview that aired yesterday on 3WC.