NBC29Mass Drive-Through Vaccination Drill includes Free Flu Shots

Mass Drive-Through Vaccination Drill includes Free Flu Shots

Press Release:

FREE FLU SHOTS AT HEALTH DEPARTMENT DRIVE-THROUGH DRILL

Health department offers free flu shots while practicing for bio-terrorism and outbreaks

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District is asking residents of Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties to roll down their car windows and roll up their sleeves for an emergency preparedness drill that will test the efficiency of mass drive-through vaccinations.  Participants will receive a free flu shot. 

Two drive-through clinics will be held on Monday, November 3^rd.  Free vaccine will be available at Booster Park in Orange County from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Lord Fairfax Community College in Fauquier County from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. or until all flu shots are dispensed.  Those receiving shots must be 18 years of age or older.

"The drill will involve health department staff and Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) volunteers administering flu vaccine to adults through their car windows", said Kathy Hatter, District Emergency Planner for the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District.  The first 400 people to enter the drive-through clinic at each location will receive a free flu shot.  Residents of any county over the age of 18 can pull into the drive-through, fill out a consent form while waiting and receive a flu shot in the arm.  Consent forms can be printed and filled out ahead of time by going to the health district website at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/LHD/RappahannockRapidan.

The goal of the Health Department is to give 800 total flu shots in two locations on the same day.  The clinics will simulate a mass vaccination that could occur in the event of a bio-terrorism attack or naturally-caused outbreak.  "We encourage people to come out for a flu shot," Hatter said. "We want this to be a test of our ability to give a large quantity of immunizations quickly."  The drill will utilize 30 MRC volunteers, with the remainder being health department personnel. 

"A flu shot for an uninsured patient normally costs about $30", said Dr. Dana Bradshaw, District Health Director for the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District.  "This is an opportunity for individuals who may not be able to afford a flu shot to be protected against influenza this coming season." 

Each year, about 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from the flu nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The best way to be protected against getting the flu is to receive a flu shot sometime during October or November; however the shot can still be effective in December or later.  Flu season generally runs from November through March.