Drive on thru at Clarkson West flu shot clinic

The Nebraska Medical Center is again offering a dose of convenience that will help protect against the flu all season long.

A drive-thru flu shot clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Clarkson West Medical Center, 144th and West Center Road.

The clinic is only for adults, ages 18 and older. Each shot costs $25.

“I strongly recommend flu shots for anybody who doesn’t want to get the flu,” said Mark Rupp, M.D., infectious disease specialist at The Nebraska Medical Center. “Generally speaking that’s anyone over six months of age who wants to avoid suffering the symptoms and consequences of influenza.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population will come down with the flu in any given year.

The flu accounts for approximately 36,000 deaths (primarily among those 65 years of age and older) and more than 200,000 hospitalizations during an average year in the U.S. The flu season in this country usually runs from November through April each year.

This year, the CDC began recommending that doctors give flu shots to children ages 2 to 5. Vaccinations were already recommended for children ages 6 months to 23 months, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and those of all ages with chronic health conditions.

The best time for vaccination is in October or November, before the flu season typically begins.

Overall about 218 million Americans or 73 percent of the population should get the vaccine this year. However, the CDC said only a fraction of the people who should get flu shots usually do.

“There is a good supply of the flu vaccine this year so there’s no reason to be unprotected this flu season. The protection extends beyond individual health. It also plays an important role in preventing large outbreaks,” Dr. Rupp said.

The drive-thru clinic is a popular option for people who don’t have time for an office visit or who hope to avoid the sniffles and coughs that resonate throughout the waiting room.

In this case, there’s truly no need to get out of the car. Paperwork is filled out while drivers wait their turn. Once at the front of the line, they roll up their sleeves, roll down their windows and within seconds, they’re ready to go.

“While you can’t get the flu from the flu shot, some mild muscle aches and even a low-grade fever are not uncommon for a day or two following the flu shot. However, these symptoms are nothing in comparison to influenza, in which high fevers and severe, debilitating muscle aches are the rule. Getting vaccinated doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get the flu, but if you do, it will likely be much less severe,” Dr. Rupp said.

Only traditional flu shots will be available at the clinic, however, there is an alternative for people who shy away from injections. A vaccine that’s sprayed into the nose, brand name FluMist, is FDA-approved for use in healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49.

“FluMist is a very effective vaccine,” Dr. Rupp said. “It’s a viable option for people who don’t like needles but want the same protection against the flu.”

People who are interested in the inhaled vaccine should contact their doctor. More information on the 2006-2007 Flu Season is available at www.nebraskamed.com.