Cherokee Nation Health Services will offer the updated COVID- 19 vaccine as part of the tribe’s annual vaccination efforts beginning Oct. 10.

Any member of the public ages six months and older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any Cherokee Nation health facility in northeast Oklahoma. Clinic visits are required for children under the age of three years.

“This updated COVID- 19 vaccine is important to receive along with the annual updated flu vaccine, as these two viruses will be spreading through our communities. Both of these viruses are highly contagious to the general public and can be deadly to our most vulnerable populations,” said Cherokee Nation Health Services Executive Medical Director Dr. Beth Harp. “Getting our annual vaccines will help provide an additional safety net that can help our friends, families and communities remain safe and healthy during this respiratory season.”

The updated COVID- 19 and flu vaccines are safe to be received at the same time according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and Cherokee Nation health experts, who recommend that Cherokee citizens receive both vaccines annually.

Cherokee Nation Health Services will be offering both vaccines via drive-through operations at all health center locations until Friday, Oct. 13 for ages three years and older.

Drive-through vaccinations are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 7 p.m.

When drive-through dates have ended, Cherokee Nation Health Services has various mobile vaccination clinics scheduled in October and November at schools, community buildings, local businesses and churches, town halls and health centers throughout the tribe’s 14-county reservation.

During community events the flu vaccine will be available to any member of the public ages three and older, while the COVID-19 vaccine will be available for any member of the public ages 12 years and older.

Mobile vaccination clinic dates and locations are subject to change. For the complete Cherokee Nation community vaccination schedule, visit https:// health.cherokee.org/ community-vaccination- clinics/.