The Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the Leavenworth County Health Department are encouraging residents to get their seasonal flu shots this year.

“Despite all of the news about H1N1 flu, it is still important for people — especially the elderly and other high-risk groups — to receive the seasonal flu vaccine, which will be available much earlier this year,” stated the KDHE’s Web site. “The new 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of influenza, and the importance of prevention. While the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has been the focus of attention since the spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by seasonal influenza viruses. As always, seasonal flu viruses will circulate this season.”

Heather Morgan, Leavenworth County administrator, echoed the KDHE’s call for seasonal flu vaccines.

“You should get both the H1N1 vaccine, when it becomes available, and the seasonal vaccine now,” she said.

To help aid in the transmission of seasonal flu vaccines the county health department will be sponsoring a drive-through flu clinic to distribute the vaccine.

The clinic will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Tonganoxie Middle School, 824 Washington St.

Quantities will be limited.

The cost for the seasonal vaccine at the clinics will be $20. The health department will accept cash, check, Medicare B, Medicaid and Healthwave. Vaccines are recommended for anyone 6 months and older. Children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years will require a note from a doctor.

To help things run smoothly at the clinic, the health department recommending that residents interested in getting the vaccine, fill out a health form available online at www.leavenworthcounty.org, or at public libraries and city halls in the county, the Riverside Community Center in Leavenworth or the Leavenworth County Courthouse.

They also ask that people wear appropriate clothing for receiving a flu shot in their upper arm.

For more information, contact the health department at (913) 250-2039.

Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation, and Hospice is offering seasonal flu vaccinations for anyone 18 and older in Tonganoxie.

The clinic will be from 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at Tonganoxie High School, 404 E. U.S. Highway 24-40, on the east campus.

The cost is $24 unless people have Medicare Part B, which will be billed.

For more information, contact the VNA at (785) 843-3738 or visit www.vna-ks.org.

Tonganoxie Nursing Center will be offering free flu vaccinations from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 24, at the nursing center, 1010 East St.

Residents who want to receive the free vaccine must be older than 18 years and complete a consent form. Quantities of the free vaccine will be very limited, so nursing center officials ask that residents RSVP Elicia Maline between 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday at (913) 369-8705.