Under the voucher system, high-risk* adults will be able to reserve flu vaccine and select a clinic site in advance. Individuals may pick up vouchers for high-risk adults.

The voucher system eliminates the excessive lines and long waits that occurred outside flu clinics before the system was created in 2005. Vouchers will be available for pickup at three sites:
--Southwest Missouri Office on Aging, 1735 S. Fort Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Oct. 13-17;
--Jordan Valley Community Health Center Clinic, 630 W. Kearney St. (old Kearney Branch Library), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (Oct. 13, 14, 16, & 17) and 8:30 to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
--Northview Senior Center, 301 E. Talmage St., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Oct. 13-17.

*Individuals eligible for the vouchers include adults age 65 and older, adults with chronic health conditions, women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; and individuals in close contact with the sick or people in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Health care workers, also considered a high-risk group, should get their flu shots through employers or physicians.

Children under the age of 18 will not be vaccinated at these clinics. Parents or guardians should check with their physician’s office and/or the Health Department at 874-1220.

The Springfield Flu Immunization Coalition’s high-risk clinics are scheduled Oct. 20-24. The clinics will be open from 7 a.m. until noon. To receive a shot, individuals must present their voucher at the designated time, date and location listed on the voucher.

-- Monday, Oct. 20: Ozarks Community Hospital (formerly Doctor’s Hospital), 2828 N. National Ave.

-- Tuesday, Oct. 21: St. John’s C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly Cancer Center, 2055 S. Fremont Ave., 2nd Floor

--Wednesday, Oct. 22: St. Agnes School, 531 S. Jefferson Ave.

--Thursday, Oct. 23: Cox Walnut Lawn, Ozark Room, 1000 E. Walnut Lawn St. (east/National entrance)

--Friday, Oct. 24: Northview Senior Center, 301 E. Talmage

Vaccine for the clinics will be made available to Greene County residents again this year through the cooperation of the Springfield Flu Immunization Coalition. Members include the Greene County Medical Society, Springfield-Greene County Health Department, CoxHealth, Ozarks Community Hospital and St. John’s Health System.

For updates on vouchers and clinics, call the Influenza hotline (417) 864-1166. The Springfield Greene County Health Department will offer additional flu clinics in Greene County beginning the week of Nov. 3.