Free Flu Shots at Drive-Thru Clinic on Nov. 9

Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) will be holding a free drive-thru flu clinic for the public on Wednesday, November 9, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adults 18 years of age and older can receive their flu vaccination free of charge, without having to leave their car. The vaccine will be administered in the City of Hope front parking lot located at 44151 15th Street West in Lancaster. Since there are only 300 doses of the vaccine available, they will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those considering a flu shot should consult their physician first if they:

• Have an allergy to eggs or any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
• Have had Guillen-Barre Syndrome.
• Are currently not feeling well.

“People should keep in mind that there is much that they can do to avoid getting the flu this year,” notes Elizabeth Johnston, MSN, director of clinical risk, infection control and regulatory affairs for AVMC. “By planning ahead and getting a flu shot early, they have a much better chance of staying healthy since it takes at least two weeks for immunity to the virus to build up. Also, they need to avoid other people who are sick and remember to wash their hands frequently during flu season.”

Vaccination for older adults is especially important. A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that people 50 and older who had gotten a flu vaccine reduced their risk of flu-associated hospitalizations by half. People 65 and older are at high risk of serious flu complications and account for the majority of flu hospitalizations and deaths each year.

For more information on the AVMC flu clinic, call 661 726-6030.