Health center plans mass flu shot clinic
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 03:24 p.m., September 24, 2007
Updated 03:24 p.m., September 24, 2007
“Red, White and Blue,” the Lyon County Health Department reminds you to “Protect Our Community from the Flu.”
That is the catchy phrase the Flint Hills Community Health Center is using this year to promote their mass vaccination clinic, which is set for Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building.
The clinic serves two purposes: to provide community members with flu shots and to train staff and volunteers to vaccinate large numbers of people in response to a natural disease outbreak or bioterrorism emergency.
The actual vaccine will be given at the clinic for a reduced fee of $15 until supplies are depleted, said Renee Hively, of FHCHC.
“The health department is encouraging anyone who has not yet had this year’s flu shot to come to the exercise and be vaccinated,” Hively said. “The cost of the flu shots at the Health Department are $20. Persons who receive Medicare or Medicaid benefits should bring their insurance card and present them to Health Deparment staff.”
Hively said no other insurances will be accepted, only cash.
“This exercise will allow us to see where we need to improve to enable us to better respond in an emergency,” said Lougene Marsh, executive director of the Lyon County Health Department. “In addition to testing our process of immunizing a large number of people quickly, we will also be providing actual flu shots to participants, just in time for flu season.”
Hively said containing a disease outbreak usually starts with vaccinating people like household members who would have close contact with an infected person.
“Rapidly vaccinating large numbers of people would likely be a ‘last line of defense’ in an emergency,” Hively said.
For more information about the mass vaccination clinic contact the Health Department at 342-4864, Ext. 220.
Free transportation will be provided to the clinic compliments of L-Cat. For information on transportation, contact L-Cat at 343-4207.
admireed (anonymous) says...
Bet the oldies will whine when they have to fork over the $15 at the Fair Grounds.
September 24, 2007 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
traceygraham (Tracey Graham) says...
If I read this right, if they're on Medicare or Medicaid, they don't have to pay the $15.
I went to this event last year and was extremely impressed by the efficiency of the entire process. I went in one door, got my paperwork, filled it out, handed over a check for 15 bucks, received some info about the flu and the vaccine, got my shot, filled out a little evaluation form (to let them know how well they're doing) and was out another door inside of FIFTEEN MINUTES. All the people working there were very pleasant, and it was a low-stress envirnonment, yet it all got done so quickly.
It's a comfort to know that the health dept can stage this kind of thing so efficiently and effectively. If, heaven forbid, a true emergency arises, I think we're in good hands!
I wish I was going to be in town on the 11th, because I would definitely do it this way again.
September 25, 2007 at 6:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yankee (anonymous) says...
Admireed........you will be one of those "oldies" some day. Why not be respectful?? You ought to appreciate the fact that you have some where to go to protect yourself from the flu.
September 25, 2007 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Hey admireed, there but for the grace of God go you, mister. Or maybe you have a good salary with a great pension plan and an excellent health plan. I helped my mom for years to buy her prescription medications because they were beyond the reach of her pocketbook. If I didn't help her, I know how she would have handled it -- she would have gone without. Many don't have a son or daughter to help out. Many go without. That is a terrible shame. We are lucky to have the health department offer us flu shots for only $15. Thanks for the prescription story, tre, puts things into perspective right quick.
September 25, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imgone (anonymous) says...
Two years ago my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer surviving treatment and surgery. Last year she survived a stroke. Last year we she reached the "doughnut hole " in Oct. This year she hit it in July. I take medicines for heart problems.Three months of prescriptions cost us approx.$2800even with insurance. I can still afford it. $15 is alot of money for those that can't. admireed...don't be so quick to judge.
September 25, 2007 at 6:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )