With the Mississippi State Department of Health announcing the first adult case of the flu, as well as the first pediatric death due to the flu, the influenza season has begun.

The MS Department of Health, as well as local area hospitals, encourage residents to take precautions, notably in the form of a flu shot.

“This not only indicates that flu is present in the state, but it also serves as a reminder that now is the time to get your flu shot if you haven’t done so already,” department of health interim health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said in a statement. “The flu shot takes one to two weeks to produce immunity, and flu season usually peaks in January through March in Mississippi.”

However, some Oxford area hospitals, such as Baptist Memorial Hospital, might not offer flu shots and recommend going to local clinics for immunization.

According to vaccinefinder.org, there are two commercial places to get a flu shot in Oxford: Kroger and CVS.

Residents can go to the CVS Pharmacy, the Kroger Pharmacy or the Lafayette County Health Department on Veterans Drive for a flu shot. However, a spokesman for Baptist Memorial Hospital also suggested the RedMed urgent clinic as another place to get vaccinated.

According to a spokesperson from CVS, Flu shots are available at CVS Pharmacy locations every day of the week, including weekends, and no appointment is needed.

Getting a shot only takes a few minutes, and the vaccine is available at no cost through most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B.

The flu shot also lasts through flu season, which ends in early spring.

Flu Shot Locations

CVS Pharmacy

1912 Jackson Ave. W.

Oxford, MS 38655

Kroger Pharmacy

2013 University Ave

Oxford, MS 38655

RedMed Urgent Clinic

1902 B West Jackson Avenue

Oxford, MS 38655

Lafayette County Health Department

101 Veterans Drive

Oxford, MS 38655