Public Health Nursing offers Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics
October 4, 2020
The 2020 flu season is right around the corner and the Wyoming Department of Health is urging residents to get their flu shots. It is nearly impossible to predict the severity of the flu season ahead of time, but we can always predict that it is coming. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu, this fall and winter is more important than ever.
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms can be very similar to COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue.
The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccinations are recommended for most individuals over 6 months of age. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are used to make the vaccine.
Thank you for making our >65 year old clinics so successful last week! Public Health administered 400 doses of flu vaccine to individuals over the age of 65 at our Marbleton & Pinedale Drive-Thru events! This means that we are sold out of the senior vaccine but we have plenty of our regular flu shots left (see information below).
• Fluzone Quadrivalent Vaccine—this vaccine is approved for individuals 6 months and older. A quadrivalent influenza (flu) vaccine is designed to protect against four different flu viruses, including two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. Cost $20/dose—will bill to insurance, cash, or check accepted. Please see dates below for community events.
• Public Health can bill Medicare, BCBS, Cigna, & UMR Insurance. We also have State doses for children under age 18 years that are uninsured, underinsured, or have Medicaid/Kid Care Chip. Please fill out insurance information on your pre-registration sheet.
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sublette County is going to offer Drive-Thru Flu Vaccine Clinics. This will be an effort to get everyone vaccinated in a safe way! Please come to our large events this year—we will have very limited appointment availability at our office.
Scheduled Flu Clinics:
• Tuesday, October 6th,2020 2PM—6PM Community Clinic (All Ages)
Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Citizen Center
429 East 1st Street, Marbleton WY
• Thursday, October 8th, 2020 2PM—6PM Community Clinic (All Ages)
Rendezvous Pointe Senior Center
425 East Magnolia, Pinedale WY
• Fridays--October 9th & October 16th, 2020 2-5PM
Sublette County Public Health Office (Watch for signs in front of our office)
619 East Hennick Street, Pinedale WY
307-367-2157
Important Requirements:
• MASKS: Everyone in the car is required to wear a mask.
• PATIENT SAFETY: Please stay in your vehicle. Watch for signs—there will be traffic attendants directing flow of traffic into the event. Plan to stay 15 minutes after your vaccination to monitor for any reactions.
• SEATING: The patients receiving the vaccine must be seated next to an accessible door. We will not be entering the vehicle to give any vaccinations. Please wear a short sleeve shirt.
• STAY HOME IF SICK: If you have symptoms like fever, cough, congestion, loss of smell—do not come to this clinic!
• PAPERWORK: Please complete your pre-registration paperwork before you arrive for your flu shot appointment—find copies available at your local Senior Center, Public Health Office, or go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/11TOxnU6MbzChVQdC58cDW4CA7jWd1ezG/view to print off a copy to bring with you.
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