Fear not, flu vaccine is here
By Gus Pearcy
Flyer Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- As sure as the winter comes, flu season
is on its way. Signs of flu season are postings of flu shot clinics
and this year is no different. The Visiting Nurse Service Inc. (VNS),
a United Way Agency, is gearing up for another Bugbuster Flu and
Pneumonia Shot campaign.
Recommendations from the Center for Disease Control
and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are that
adults and children 6 months and older get flu shots. However, the VNS
will not vaccinate any child under the age of 3.
VNS Flu Department R.N. Judy Moon says the flu shots
are $18 this year because of a dramatic increase in price from the
manufacturer. The pneumonia shots are still $25 and Medicare Part B
recipients can receive one or both shots at no charge.
The 10th annual Bugbuster campaign begins today. Flu
and pneumonia vaccine clinics will be held throughout Marion and the
surrounding 11 counties in central Indiana. Clinics are scheduled
through December.
New this year are the special "drive-thru" clinics.
"We had one drive-thru clinic last year," Moon said.
"It was so totally successful. I think it was our largest clinic. We
gave 600 and some odd shots."
Customers actually drive through the clinic. First
to fill out paperwork, then on to the nurses. Moon said last year a
senior citizens' bus came through. Then the next and final stop is for
refreshments.
"That's just to keep them there a few minutes," Moon
said, "just to make sure everything's OK."
All drive-thru clinics are held in Kroger parking
lots.
Vaccines this year will fight three strains -- the
Moscow, New Caledonia and Hong Kong flu.
The optimal time to receive a flu shot is during
October and November. However, because of vaccine distribution delays
the last two years, the ACIP suggests that persons at the greatest
risk for influenza-related complications and healthcare workers
receive flu shots in October. Vaccinations for other groups is
recommended to begin in November.
gus.pearcy@flyergroup.com
Fight the flu with a flu shot
Area clinics scheduled in Hendricks County and the
westside of Marion County include:
3-7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Kroger, 108 N. State Road 267,
Avon
Drive-thru clinic 6-9 a.m. Oct. 7, at Kroger, 905 N.
Green St., Brownsburg
Drive-thru clinic 3-6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Kroger, 905 N.
Green St., Brownsburg
3-7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Kroger, 5718 Crawfordsville Rd.,
Indianapolis
3-7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Meijer, 10841 U.S. 36 Avon
9 a.m. to noon Oct. 17 at Kroger, 5173 W. Washington
St., Indianapolis
3-7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Kroger, 1930 E. Main St.,
Plainfield
3-7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Meijer, 5349 Pike Plaza Rd.,
Indianapolis
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at Kroger, 5615 W. 38th
St., Indianapolis
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at Kroger, 785 E. Main St.,
Danville
3-7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Meijer, 10509 Heartland Blvd.,
Camby
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 2 at Meijer, 10841 U.S. 36,
Avon
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 2 at Kmart, 975 N. Green St.,
Brownsburg
10 a.m. to noon Nov. 5 at Kroger, 1930 E. Main St.
Plainfield
10 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 at Kroger, 108 N. S.R. 267
Avon
10 a.m. to noon Nov. 7 at Kroger, 5718
Crawfordsville Rd., Indianapolis
4-6 p.m. Nov. 7 at Kroger, 905 N. Green St.,
Brownsburg
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at Wayne Library, 198 S.
Girls School Rd., Indianapolis
10 a.m. to noon Nov. 13 at Kroger, 8150 Rockville
Rd., Indianapolis
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