FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- The Arkansas Department of Health announced when and where each county will be holding its flu vaccine clinics.
According to the health department, last year's flu season led to more deaths in the state than in the last 40 years.
Dr. Tabasum Imran with UAMS Family Medical Center said the flu is different every year.
“The flu virus changes and adapts every year, and therefore the length and the severity of the epidemic generated by the flu virus varies,” Dr. Imran said.
She encourages people to get the flu shot.
“Prevention is better than cure,” she said. “And prevention is key.”
Harold Alexander II of Fort Smith had the flu a few years ago, and remembers the misery that came with it.
"It was no fun. [I] felt bad -- itchy, scratchy throat, headaches running a fever, just didn't want to do anything, go anywhere -- it was awful,” he said.
The flu vaccine cuts down those symptoms and prevents the disease itself, according to Dr. Imran.
For a list of county clinics, click here.