Bell Hospital holding community flu shot clinics

ISHPEMING — While it’s been a lovely week weather-wise, the chill of fall is bound to descend upon us soon enough. That means it’s time again for residents of the Upper Peninsula to start thinking about an unfavorable autumn menace… the flu.

Bell Hospital in Ishpeming is hosting a series of community flu shot clinics throughout next week to help protect people from the disease.

“Flu season is just around the corner,” Bell Hospital director of pharmacy Doug Anderson said. “It’s actually starting up already. The CDC is already starting to get reported cases of the flu and severe complications.”

Anderson says a vaccination can reduce the severity of symptoms in people who do fall ill. In addition, it eliminates many cases of the flu from even occurring in the first place.

Bell Hospital will be hosting its flu shot clinics starting next Monday. Clinics will be held in the Maple and Birch rooms near the cafeteria on Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and from noon to 5:00 p.m. at Clinic Suite 120 on both Tuesday and Thursday. The vaccinations cost $25. Medicare, cash, or checks will be accepted.