CHRISTIANSBURG — The New River Health District (NRHD) will offer free seasonal flu vaccine at a special drive-thru dispensing clinic on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blacksburg High School.
Vaccine will be available free on a first-come, first-served basis. Those being vaccinated should wear clothing that is loose around the arm so a public health nurse can administer the flu shot in the upper arm in the comfort and convenience of the car. The purpose of this dispensing clinic is to simulate mass vaccination events in which the health department and local agencies would work together so community members could be vaccinated efficiently during a time of emergency.
“Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its potentially severe complications,” said Dr. Noelle Bissell, the health district’s director. “This unique ‘drive-thru’ approach has proven to be a fast and efficient way to vaccinate a large number of folks in a short time.
“Community immunity develops when more people get vaccinated,” Dr. Bissell said. “There is less virus present to potentially infect those who cannot be immunized such as infants under 6 months old, and this helps protect everyone from this potentially deadly disease. It is particularly important to get a flu shot this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility of both viruses being in our communities at the same time.
“The timing and duration of flu seasons vary, Dr. Bissell said. “They can occur from early fall to late spring. Receiving an annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the risk of becoming sick with the flu and spreading the virus to others. When more people get vaccinated, less flu can spread through the community. It takes up to two weeks to develop the vaccine’s full protection.”
All persons aged 6 months or older are encouraged to be vaccinated against influenza each year. Particular effort should be made to vaccinate people at higher risk for influenza complications, including pregnant and postpartum women, or those who will be pregnant during the influenza season; persons over 65 years of age, including residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities; people who have chronic lung or heart problems, including asthma; and people who have other serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, anemia, cancer, weak immune systems (including those with HIV) or a seizure disorder.
To help prevent the spread of influenza to people in high risk groups, those who live with people in a high risk group and healthcare workers should also receive an annual influenza vaccine. Travelers to countries outside of the U.S. may also need to consider influenza vaccination, even at different times of the year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year over the last decade, influenza has caused from nine to 45 million illnesses, 140,000 to 810,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 61,000 deaths.
