The N.C. Office of Rural Health and Community Care will provide flu vaccines for veterans at the Polk County Veterans Service Office at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus on Monday, Nov. 21.

Veterans will be able to get their flu vaccines on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Veterans must be enrolled in VA Health Care to be eligible for the vaccines.

For veterans who are not enrolled in VA Health Care, staff will be available to help them begin the enrollment process.  The veterans will need to have a copy of their discharge papers.

Changes have recently been made concerning eligibility for Vietnam and Gulf War veterans. Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 are eligible for VA Health Care Priority group six or higher. Veterans who served in the southwest Asia theater of operations from Aug. 2, 1990, through Nov. 11, 1998 are eligible for VA Health Care Priority Group 6 or higher as well.

For questions about this event or the flu vaccine, call the N.C. Office of Rural Health and Community Care at 828-298-7911 extension 4337.

– article submitted by Scott Pittillo