Some 230 people received the flu vaccination during the Covington County Health Department’s first seasonal flu clinic Wednesday, Nursing Coordinator Cindy McAlpin said.

“The clinic was excellent,” she said. “It’s a good number, plus we’ve been giving some vaccinations since we’ve had the vaccine in the clinic.”

With temperatures changing, flu season is on the horizon and health officials are encouraging residents to receive the vaccination.

“Flu season typically runs November through May, but the flu vaccine will now protect folks for longer than it was once thought,” McAlpin said. “According to the Centers for Disease Control, the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season.”

McAlpin said it is very important for those who are in the high-risk group to get the vaccine, especially pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung diseases.

In addition, health care workers, other people who live or care for high-risk people to keep from spreading flu to these people should receive it.

Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. Their caretakers should receive the vaccination.

McAlpin said health department officials have not set dates for the next flu vaccine clinics because they are working to locate additional vaccines in order to have enough to conduct a clinic.

“We have enough for people to come in and receive a vaccinations,” she said. “We just do not have enough to hold a large clinic.”