PICKENS COUNTY — Each year, many people receive the flu vaccine offered in a variety of locations throughout the county.

But many people choose not to receive the vaccine, because they believe that the shot itself will cause them to become sick, or that they are not at risk for catching the flu.

According to the Center for Disease Control, seasonal flu is responsible for 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year.

The most prevalent myth about the flu, according to health officials, is that the vaccine itself makes you sick.

Flu vaccines are made of killed flu viruses — which cannot make you sick, according to the CDC.

Many people avoid receiving the virus because they fear the vaccine’s side effects.

But officials say that most people will only come away from the shot with a sore arm, and that the side effects of the flu vaccine pale in comparison with the effects of the virus

itself.

Other minor side effects include fever or aches.

Others believe the flu isn’t a serious illness, so they don’t need to be vaccinated.

But the flu can lead to serious illnesses,

such as pneumonia and respiratory problems.

Another common flu myth: only older people get the flu.

The CDC encourages that anyone over the age of six months receive the flu vaccine, as the virus can spread rapidly among children, so it’s a good idea for parents to also be vaccinated.

Health officials strongly warn parents to not involve their children in “flu parties” – gatherings where one child is allowed to pass the flu onto other children, in the hopes that by catching the virus, the child will become immune to other outbreaks.

These parties expose children to the virus itself, not the inoculation against it, and can be very dangerous to a child’s health.

The CDC also recommends pregnant women, health care workers, anyone who lives in a nursing home or other long-term care facility, children up to the age of 19 and men and women over 50 receive an annual flu shot.

Myth: “I got the flu shot last year. I don’t need another one this year.”

Like all viruses, the flu virus changes from year to year, and new strains become prevalent each year. Having an immunity from one strain may not protect you from a new strain, and the protection given by a flu shot shades over the course of a year, so it’s a good idea to get vaccinated every year.

Myth: “If I haven’t gotten the flu by the end of the year, I’m not going to get it.”

While flu season is commonly associated with winter months, the season actually runs October through March.

So who shouldn’t receive a flu vaccine? Anyone with a severe allergy to chickens eggs, anyone who developed Guillian-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of receiving a flu vaccine and anyone with a moderate-to-severe illness involving fever (wait until you’ve recovered before receiving the vaccine.)

Cannon Memorial Hospital will hold several flu clinics this month.

A clinic will be held 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Pickens Senior Center.

In Six Mile, a clinic will be held 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at the Roper Building

The Pickens YMCA will host two clinics, one from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, the other 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12.

The Central/Clemson Recreation hosts a clinic 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Flu shots are $25 and pneumonia shots are $50. Seniors can receive flu and pneumonia shots at no cost with their Medicare Part B and supplemental insurance cards. Please bring your Medicare card with you.

No children under 12 will be vaccinated at these community clinics.