SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., –New guidelines recommending flu shots for all children between the ages of six months and 19 years has prompted Regional West Medical Center to offer two flu shot clinics specifically for children.

Walk-in flu shot clinics for children will be held Wednesday, October 22 and October 29 at the Community Health office at Regional West South Unit, 3700 Avenue B, Scottsbluff. The clinics will run from 3 to 7 p.m. and no appointment is necessary.

Flu shots are free for children six months to 18 years; however, a $10 donation per child is requested. Flu shots will be available to parents at the children’s clinics, but the fee for adult flu shots is $30.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded the list of persons who should get flu shots to include school-aged children and adolescents to limit the spread of infection. The goal is to prevent children from both getting the flu and spreading it.

Regional West will also offer both a drive-through and a walk-in flu shot clinic for adults.

The drive-through clinic will be held Saturday, Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Regional West Medical Center South Plaza parking lot.

The adult walk-in clinic will be held Saturday, November 8th at the same location, in the Regional West Medical Center South Plaza conference room #1202, from 8 a.m. to noon. Pneumonia shots will be available only at the walk-in clinic.

Flu shots are recommended for persons 50-years or older, those with chronic medical conditions, residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities, pregnant women, health care personnel who provide direct patient care, and both household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than five years old.

According to Community Health Nurse Paulette Schnell, R.N., the supply of flu vaccine has arrived so there is no risk of flu clinic cancellations this year.

“Even if you’re healthy, you should get a flu shot if you live with or care for people at high risk for severe complications from influenza including young children and senior citizens.,” said Schnell.

The fee for flu shots is $30. Pneumonia shots are $45. Medicare Part B will be billed for those who bring their cards.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,400 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, we offer care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.