Health Department educates children with 'Boo the Flu'

The Hill County Health Department is launching a social media campaign that celebrates the fun of Halloween, while promoting the importance of influenza immunizations.

Kim Larson, public health director of the health department, said local children are encouraged to decorate or carve pumpkins to scare away the flu using materials of their choice.

Participants then send a photo of their pumpkins in a message to the health department’s Facebook page, Larson said.

All entrants should include their name, age and phone number in the message.

Contestants will be broken down in three groups: ages 0-6, 7-12 and 13-18.

Larson said each winner will receive a saucer sled and a snowball maker.

Additional prizes will be decided based on age, Larson said. Winners ages 0-6 will also receive a 10-pack of snow markers which can be used to write in the snow. Children ages 7-12 will receive a snow brick maker and children ages 13 to 18 will receive a snow cylinder maker.

All entries must be submitted by 8 a.m Oct. 31.

Larson said it is the department’s first year holding the contest.

Staff at the department were brainstorming and came up with the idea as a way to encourage people to get flu shots, Larson said.

Flu shots will also be provided 8 a.m. to 5 p.m Oct. 31 and billed to the recipient’s insurance.

A shot is the best protection against the flu, Larson said.

She said even if someone who gets vaccinated gets the flu, symptoms will be less severe and not last as long.

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot, Larson said.