You can get a quick and easy flu shot at a Drive-Thru Flu Clinic Thursday. The process takes just a couple of minutes and you dont even have to leave your car.
The SEK Multi-County Health Department will offer flu shots in its parking lot at 411 N. Washington from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinic accepts private insurance such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and Cigna, as well as Medicaid (KanCare) and Medicare.
Last years flu season was one of the deadliest on record, so the Centers for Disease Control is urging people to get vaccinated early this year. Even those who received last years flu vaccine late, such as early this year, are advised to get the 2018-19 flu shot before the flu season starts in October. Changes have been made to the vaccine formulas to better prevent currently circulating viruses.
Getting a vaccine doesnt mean you wont get the flu, but if you do get sick it could be less severe, experts say.
The 2017-18 season was the first season to be classified as a high severity across all age groups, the CDC reported. The flu-like-illness activity increased in November, reached an extended period of high activity during January and February nationally, and remained elevated through the end of March, the CDC reported.
Adult deaths because of flu are not reported nationally but the CDC tracks childrens cases. Last year, 180 children died from flu-related causes. Of those, 80 percent had not been vaccinated, the CDC said. The 2017-18 flu season also was one of the longest in recent years.
If you arent able to make it to the drive-thru clinic, vaccines are available at most doctors offices, pharmacies and health clinics.
For more information, call the health department at 620-365-2191.
