Prolonged COVID-19 gives you more options for drive-through influenza vaccination

Influenza vaccination is always recommended at this time of the year, but with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there are more concerns and options for consumers.

Some companies, such as retail pharmacies and healthcare providers, are offering drive-through alternatives to in-house vaccination this season.

This option remains cautious about entering the pharmacy and office environment, as ongoing concerns about COVID-19 are a key factor in preparing for the start of the flu season.

Health officials have strengthened the message about the need for influenza vaccines and are urging everyone over 6 months to be vaccinated sooner or later.

“It’s more important than ever for Illinois to be vaccinated against the flu this season,” said director Dr. Goji Ejike. Illinois Public Health Service, I said in last week’s release.

Jewel-Osco, Advocate Aurora Health, to meet demand and mitigate fear PediaTrustA network of 19 pediatrician offices in the northern and western suburbs is one of those offering drive-through influenza vaccines.

Dr. Susan Shirota, a pediatrician who works with pediatric partners in Highland Park and Vernon Hills, says drive-through flu vaccines have been available in most offices on the Pedia Trust network since the end of August. ..

“More than ever, the flu vaccine is more important for children to receive,” said Sirota, chairman of the Pedia Trust board of directors. She said the child is a major spreader of the flu virus.

More than half of the 6,000 vaccines given at the Pedia Trust site are drive-throughs, and in most cases patients do not get out of the car or remove their seat belts.

“We have such positive feedback,” Sirota said. “This is one of the most effective and efficient ways we care.”

Advocate Aurora Health offers more than 12 drive-through clinics in the Chicago area and additional pediatric drive-throughs in Wilmette, Park Ridge, and the South Side of Chicago for children 6 months and older. I will.

The clinic requires reservations.visit www.advocateaurorahealth.org/flu-shot/..

“It’s very important to get a flu shot, so we want to give patients the option to get the care they need,” said Advocate Medical Group Physician Care Management Officer. Patty Mahoney says.

Aurora City announced on Wednesday that it will partner with VNA Healthcare to provide drive-through flu shots at Philips Spark on 1000 Ray Moses Drive every Friday in October. The clinic is open to everyone over 4 years old.

No reservation is required and VNA accepts all insurance without out-of-pocket or deduction. Vaccinations are free for those without insurance.

The morning clinic is open from 9 am to 1 pm on October 2, 16 and 30 and the afternoon clinic is open from noon to 4 pm on October 9 and 23.

“Because we are planning the flu season in COVID-19, it is important to provide the community with an easy and accessible opportunity to get a flu shot,” said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin. I mentioned in the news release.

The· Jewel Osco The chain launched a drive-through clinic on September 18th at selected locations. Participants must fill out a vaccine consent form in advance. This will be automatically sent to the appropriate pharmacy.

“In the current situation, our team has found a way to take advantage of the services we have provided and update them to better meet the needs of our patients,” said Chandni Clough, Patient Care Services Manager. I am.

The Lake County Health Department also used the drive-through method twice in the parking lot at Wakigan headquarters last week to vaccinate about 300 county employees with the flu vaccine.

Many people worked remotely during the pandemic, and drive-through clinics provided convenient options for employees without having to enter the building, said Hannah Goering, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health.

She said she had another purpose.

“There is a drive-through vaccination process in the COVID-19 mass vaccination plan when the vaccine arrives,” Göring said. “Our agency wanted to test the process so that we could improve our plans before the vaccine became available.”

According to Rhode Island-based CVS Health, 66% of those surveyed in July will definitely be vaccinated against the flu this season, compared to 34% surveyed in January. It says it is likely to happen.

Although it doesn’t offer drive-through flu shot options at 378 locations in Illinois, the chain plans to deliver 18 million flu shots this season, almost doubling in 2019.