The Radford Food City at 1701 Tyler Ave. is participating in the supermarket chain’s company-wide offering of flu vaccine this immunization season.
Pharmacy manager Justin Greer and his staff of Katie Barker and Cathy Hendry, all three of whom are licensed pharmacists and are also certified immunizers through the American Pharmacists Association (APHA), are on hand to provide the immunizations with a minimum of lost time.
“No appointments are necessary,” Greer said. “Just walk in. Come on in with your insurance card, and we’ll get you in and out pretty fast, in as little as 10 minutes if there are no paperwork problems.”
Food City pharmacists can immunize individuals 14 years and older.
The pharmacy manager said he would check on insurance coverage before the vaccine is administered so an individual can then decide whether or not to proceed with the vaccination.
Greer said the pharmacy is offering both the high-dose and the low-dose vaccines during the pharmacy’s usual operating hours, which are 9-7, Monday through Friday, 9-6 on Saturday and noon-6 on Sunday.
Greer said for added convenience persons may call the pharmacy and check on their insurance coverage over the phone before they come in. The pharmacy’s phone number is 540-744-3377.
Insurance, including Medicare Part B is accepted, many with a zero copay. Other vaccines, including pneumonia and shingles shots, will be available as well.
The Radford Food City pharmacy will be following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines, including guidance to minimize the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and to reduce the risk for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While all individuals are encouraged to receive a flu shot, the CDC strongly recommends vaccination for individuals considered high risk. These include persons 65 or older, residents of long-term care facilities, persons 2-64 years of age with more than one health condition and pregnant women.
Greer encourages everyone to get a flu shot especially with the COVID-19 pandemic still around. “If you get both of these (flue and the coronavirus) at the same time,” he said, “chances are you will wind up in the hospital.”
Flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter months. Influenza activity often begins to increase in October and November. Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February but can last as late as May.
