Ozarks Healthcare Pharmacy to Bring Vaccination Clinics to Rural Communities

As flu season approaches, Ozarks Healthcare is encouraging community members to take steps now to protect themselves and those around them. Ozarks Healthcare Pharmacy staff will host a series of vaccination clinics at several Ozarks Healthcare clinic locations throughout October, providing convenient access to recommended vaccines closer to home.

Pharmacy team members will be available at each clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide a variety of vaccinations, including flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, tetanus, shingles, and RSV.

The annual flu vaccine remains an important part of preparing for the respiratory illness season. Influenza can cause more than several days of feeling sick; it can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, and in some cases, death. Older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions can be particularly vulnerable to complications from influenza.

Getting vaccinated each year is important because flu viruses change over time, and protection from vaccination can decrease. Staying up to date with vaccination can help reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill and can also help protect family members, friends, coworkers and others in the community.

“Getting your flu vaccine is one of the simplest steps you can take to prepare for flu season,” Melynni Yarber, Ozarks Healthcare Director of Retail Pharmacy, said. “We want to make it as convenient as possible for people in the communities we serve to get their flu shot and talk with our Pharmacy team about other vaccines they may need.”

The vaccination clinics will be held on the following dates and locations:

Oct. 6 - Ozarks Healthcare Mountain Grove Clinic, 500 E. 19^th St., Mountain Grove, MO

Oct. 7 – Ozarks Healthcare Thayer Clinic, 1375 Nettleton Ave., Thayer, MO

Oct. 7 – Ozarks Healthcare Mountain View Clinic, 220 N. Elm St., Mountain View, MO

Oct. 8 – Ozarks Healthcare Alton Clinic, 100 Medical Dr., Alton, MO

Oct. 13 – Ozarks Healthcare Winona Clinic, 9104 St. Hwy. 19, Winona, MO

Oct. 14 – Ozarks Healthcare Gainesville Clinic, 37 Medical Dr., Gainesville, MO

Oct. 21 – Ozarks Healthcare Willow Springs Clinic, 816 East Main St., Willow Springs, MO

All clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Community members are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider or Ozarks Healthcare Pharmacy team about which vaccines are recommended based on their age, health history and individual needs. Outside of designated vaccine clinic dates, please call your nearest Ozarks Healthcare Pharmacy for vaccine availability. Flu shots are covered by most health insurance plans.

For more information about vaccination and other healthcare services available through Ozarks Healthcare, visit www.ozarkshealthcare.com.

Ozarks Healthcare is a not-for-profit health system that serves more than 160,000 residents across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. With its main campus residing in West Plains, Missouri, the health system offers a full spectrum of healthcare for all ages through its 114-bed hospital, behavioral health, therapies, pharmacies, rehabilitation, and home care services, along with specialty and family medicine clinics. Ozarks Healthcare has rural locations across an eight-county service area and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.