The Cleveland County Health Department has announced its seasonal influenza vaccination clinic schedule.

Clinics begin Oct. 1.

Senior citizens may receive influenza vaccinations 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 1 at the Norman Senior Center, 329 S. Peters Ave., and 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 1 at Rose Rock Villa, 700 N. Berry Road.

Senior citizens also can receive vaccines Oct. 2 at the Noble Senior Citizens Center, 606 Maguire Road., 7:30 to 11 a.m. and the Moore Brand Senior Citizen Center, 501 E. Main St., 9 a.m. to noon.

The public is welcome to get an influenza vaccination at the Cleveland County Health Department, 250 12th Ave. N.E. in Norman, 7:30 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 15 and 7:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at the First Baptist Church in Moore, 301 NE 27th-Conference Center. Other times and dates for vaccines are 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Little Axe Community Center, 1000 168th Ave. N.E., and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Noble School Administration, 111 S. 4th St.

"While the new H1N1 (swine flu) influenza has been the focus of so much attention since last spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by seasonal influenza viruses. Now is the time for Cleveland County residents to get their annual seasonal flu shot," Cleveland County Health Department Administrative Director Shari Kinney said. "This shot is different from the new H1N1 flu vaccine and will protect against this year's seasonal influenza virus strains for the entire flu season."

Kinney said the shot is available for anyone who wants to be protected from seasonal flu and is especially recommended for children 6 months of age up to their 19th birthday, pregnant women, persons 50 years of age or older, persons with chronic medical conditions, residents who live in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities and persons who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu, including health care workers.

Kinney suggested Cleveland County residents "take 3 actions" to prevent the flu.

· First, take time to get vaccinated for seasonal flu.

· Second, take those everyday preventive actions to keep from spreading flu viruses: cover your cough; wash your hands; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. And if you get sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medications.

· Third, take flu antiviral drugs only if your doctor prescribes them, and especially if you are at increased risk of complications from the flu.

Although there is no charge for getting a flu shot from the Cleveland County Health Department, voluntary donations will be accepted.

In addition to getting a flu vaccination, a new recommendation has been released for persons age 19 and older who smoke or have chronic pulmonary disease like asthma. These persons should ask their doctor if they should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, which is a common and potentially serious complication of the flu. Unlike the influenza vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine does not need to be given every year. This vaccine is available at physicians' offices and the Cleveland County Health Department.

For more information, call the Cleveland County Health Department Norman office at 321-4048 or the Moore office at 794-1591.