It's almost flu season, and the cost in terms of health can be staggering.
"Across the U.S. on the average 5 to 20 percent are affected by the flu and more than 200,000 may be hospitalized," said Sonja Claborn, Oklahoma State Department of Health immunization field consultant for Caddo, Comanche, Cotton and Kiowa counties; and licensed practical nurse.
Of those who contract the flu, "anywhere from 3,000 to 49,000 die of complications from it annually," said Bob Moos, Southwest public affairs officer for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The Comanche County Health Department will begin vaccinating for seasonal influenza today to protect residents from this potentially serious illness.
The clinic hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with clients entering the clinic no later than 4 p.m. to receive timely service.
Children, seniors and those with ongoing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the flu and the more serious consequences, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).

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