Flu clinic serves residents, bolsters preparedness

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.Last Saturday, residents of Carson City and the surrounding counties queued up along Butti Way in Carson City to receive free flu vaccinations at the 9th annual Drive-Through Flu Clinic. This year, more than 1,000 cars drove through the Carson City Corporate yard, and 2,065 flu vaccinations were given during the four-hour event. This number was only slightly less than last year’s clinic, which was held at Carson High School.Some who turned out to receive the vaccine noted that the wait this year was longer than in previous years, and that, even though they had completed forms ahead of time, the line still was long. Officials in charge of the clinic said this was because of the overwhelming response of people completing their forms ahead of time. “This was our first year providing the forms to people before the flu clinic in the newspaper and on our website. We didn’t expect so many people would participate that way. We were thrilled by the response, but admittedly weren’t ready to handle the volume of traffic with pre-filled forms,” said Dustin Booth, who served as Incident Commander for the event.Kathi Haynie, who was the Flu Clinic manager, wanted to remind people that the flu clinic is a way for the Health Department to practice their emergency response plans. “We try new things every year to improve our emergency response capabilities — different locations, new communication methods. We sincerely appreciate the help our community provides by attending the flu clinic, and we thank them for their patience.”So far this year, Carson City Health and Human Services Flu outreach programs at the schools, Senior Center, and the drive-through clinic have reached more than 5,000 people. “We’re happy the public is hearing the message that people should be getting vaccinated,” said Booth, “A flu vaccine is the number one way to prevent the flu.”For those who missed the drive-through clinic, flu vaccinations still are offered at the Health Department every Thursday at the Long Street clinic on a walk-in basis. Flu shots are $20, flu mist nasal vaccine is $25, and the high dose vaccine for those age 65 and older is $35.For Lyon County residents, flu clinics will be offered in Dayton on Oct. 20 and Silver Springs on Oct. 24, respectively. For more information on these and other upcoming flu vaccine clinics, as well as information on other Health Department services, check out or website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CCHHS . Carson City Healthand Human Services900 E. Long St.,Carson City.Call 775-887-2195.Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday; call for appointment.Well-child visits: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays.Men's clinic: 4-6 p.m. Mondays.Immunization Day: 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1-4:30 p.m. Thursdays.Douglas CountyCommunity Health1538 Highway 395 North (Corner of Spruce Street and Cemetery Lane).Call 775-782-9038.Clinic hours: 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.Monday is Immunization Day: No appointment needed, 1-4:30 p.m.