Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department Holds Flu Clinic

 The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department and other area partners held a flu shot clinic Thursday.

The event began at 8:30AM and was held at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds. 2,200 flu shots were available to the public. Director of Nursing, Carol Howdyshell says the vaccine helps you prepare for the flu season.

"The flu shot is incredibly important to prevent that spread of disease from getting that disease. If somebody does happen to get the flu, it shouldn’t be as bad. The vaccine we have is the four string, it’s the quadrovaluent. So it’s just one of the best things you can do to get through the winter season."

The event was set up as a 6 lane drive-thru or walk-in and ran until 5PM or when vaccines were unavailable. Not only did the event allow those to prepare for flu season, it served as an exercise to help those in charge prepare for treatment of mass groups during disasters.

"It is putting people in command situations like the chiefs of the different planning activities. We work with areas radio, law enforcement, the schools of nursing. There are many many partners that we would have to depend on to respond to an emergency event. Thats what this event is for us."

As of 4:30PM, the clinic reported that they administered 1,700 vaccines.