Sentara hosts drive-thru flu clinics across Virginia and northeast North Carolina
As part of our commitment to keep communities safe, Sentara Healthcare will be hosting several FREE drive-thru flu shot clinics on Saturday, October 2 throughout Virginia and northeast North Carolina.
This year, as part of our effort to increase community access to a free preventative care, there will be 17 drive-thru flu clinics throughout Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Northern Virginia, South Boston, Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina, which is five more flu clinic locations than last year. Each clinic location will be prepared to administer between 300-700 flu shots, and more than 7,500 flu vaccines in one day throughout all locations.
Drive-thru flu clinics will run from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. or until all shots are given. No appointment is needed. Flu shots will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last.
Anyone 18 years and older can receive a free flu shot without leaving their car. The events are rain or shine and COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at all times. A mask is required in order to get a flu shot. Only the standard flu dose vaccine will be offered. Public Health experts have not recommended one type of flu vaccine more highly than another for people 65 and older. They advise getting any type of flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.
A full list of locations can be found here: www.sentara.com/flushots
It is crucial to get the flu shot amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend getting your flu shot early this year, ideally during the month of October. Flu symptoms are very similar to those of COVID-19 and preventing the flu will save lives and preserve health care resources.
Only the flu vaccine will be available at Sentara’s drive-thru flu shot clinics. We encourage community members in need of a COVID-19 vaccine to visit www.vaccinefinder.org.
By: Kelly Kennedy