Drive-through flu shot clinic coming to Ann Arbor
The Washtenaw County Public Health Department will host its third annual drive-through flu shot clinic for area residents who want the vaccine in a hurry.
The all-in-one flu shot will be administered to people in their own vehicles from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 in a drive-through garage bay at Ann Arbor's Huron Valley Ambulance, 1200 State Circle.
HVA's drive-through flu clinic is returning.
"We've been getting a lot of buzz from the public ... asking if we're going to do it again this year," said Joyce Williams, public affairs manager for HVA.
Williams said 600 doses will be available at this year's clinic, compared to 300 last year.
"Last year, we could have given out more, but we ran out," she said.
When asked whether she expected to run out again this year, Williams said, "I doubt it."
Williams said the drive-through clinic has been popular in previous years because of the relatively short waiting time. "I think the longest wait time (last year) was maybe 10 minutes. It moves really fast."
Residents who receive the vaccine will also receive a trick-or-treat goodie bag and a map to nearby businesses, where kids can go trick-or-treating and adults can get a free car wash and collect stickers for a chance to win a flat-screen TV and other prizes.
The clinic is available to people 18 years or older. The vaccine costs $20 and must be paid for with cash. No pets or animals may be present in the vehicle when the vaccine is administered due to safety concerns, according to a WCPH news release.
Williams said the clinic is not open to children.
"The health department nurses feel it's safer and more time effective if children are given their vaccines in a health department or doctor's office setting" because, for them, the shot must be administered in a thigh, rather than an arm, she said.
For more flu clinic information, please call WCPH at 734-544-6700.
Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Oct 9, 2010 : 11:31 a.m.
Thanks for the good link mhirzel. So, the key is to request and accept only 'thimerosal free', since 'preservative-free' (thanks to quirky labeling laws) does not assure freedom from the preservative thimerosal. Gotta love how good lobbyists 'help' write our legislation, but that's another story. Since you and Ian seem to 'get it', perhaps either would consider contributing some additional orthomolecular biology related articles to A2.com. Hydrogenation, HFCS, mercury, -cides, vitamins, etc. The community could use the info; A2.C could use the content...
AlphaAlpha
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 11:25 p.m.
The comments of both mhirzel and Ian are astute and correct. Vitamin D has recently been recognized as far more important as an immunostimulant than was previously appreciated, and, ironically, more westerners are deficient in D than any other vitamin. The myth of a 'few minutes' of sunshine providing enough is dangerous. One recent study showed fewer vaccine-free folks with adequate D got the flu than did a vaccinated control group without supplemental D. Lack of adequate D is associated with most common diseases of our time. And, it's cheap. If you do feel you need a flu vaccination, and are rightly concerned about mercury poisoning, simply request and accept only a children's vaccine. Children's vaccines today, are mercury (a nasty neurotoxin) free.
Ian
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
mhirzel, Same to you. "during time of univeral deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" - George Orwell
Ian
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 8:45 a.m.
Probably just as dangerous as drive-through fast food. Take high does of vitamin D, eat well, and exercise and you will not need to put dangerous vaccines full of mercury and other toxins in your body. Strengthen your immune system rather than pumping your body full of toxic foreign substances. Particularly in light of the fact that the 2009 H1N1 pandemic was a hoax.
averagetaxpayer
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 10:37 p.m.
I took advantage of the drive-thru at HVA two years ago. Can't say enough good things about the experience. Easy in and out, outstanding professionalism, friendly, etc. Looking forward to being back on the 30th. For those needing to get a flu shot, put this date on your calendar!
djm12652
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 3:05 p.m.
@sheeple, after I received my injection in the UofL drive thru, my car was directed to a waiting station where I waited about 5 minutes before being released; conviently for those that may have had a reaction...the exit was out the east side of the complex, right next to the emergency room
Bob Needham
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.
(off-topic comment removed)
sheeple
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 12:43 p.m.
This arrangement seems a bit dubious to me because of the possibility, albeit a small one, of a reaction to the vaccine. Don't they usually want you to wait around a few minutes after receiving the vaccination? The way it's described in the article, you could experience a vaccine reaction while driving a car.
Heather Lockwood
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.
@xmo The article states the reason why the clinic is not open to children: "The health department nurses feel it's safer and more time effective if children are given their vaccines in a health department or doctor's office setting" because, for them, the shot must be administered in a thigh, rather than an arm, Williams said.
xmo
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
"Williams said the clinic is not open to children" I guess nobody cares what happens to the children.
djm12652
Thu, Oct 7, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.
When I lived dowtown Louisville, the U of L Hospital had the drive thru clinic...convenient and fast! The only way to go!