Community members across Northeast Georgia can soon conveniently receive their annual flu shots without leaving their car at a series of upcoming drive-thru vaccination days from District 2 Public Health.
According to a press release from the department, all county health departments within the district will offer drive-thru flu shots this year.
Emergency Preparedness Director Mark Palen encouraged the community to participate.
“Not only does this help our citizens get flu shots easily, it also serves as an important emergency preparedness medical countermeasures exercise for our public health nurses and health department staff," Palen said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone six months and older to get a flu shot. The CDC said it is particularly important for those 55 and older, and those with certain medical conditions.
"The quadrivalent vaccine (four-in-one) will serve as the regular flu vaccine, and will protect against four different strains of flu, both A and B strains of the influenza viruses," the release said. "The high-dose vaccine, which is also a quadrivalent vaccine, will be available for persons 65 and older."
The flu vaccine is free for those with Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurances. If an individual pays for the vaccine out of pocket, they will pay $30 for the regular flu vaccine and $66 for the high dose.
Individuals who want to receive their flu shot at a drive-thru clinic must be 18 or older.
Dates, locations and times for the drive-thru events can be found at this link.
