WMC and Local Agencies Team Up for Drive-through Seasonal Flu Shots

The Weirton Medical Center and several local agencies have teamed up to offer seasonal flu shots for individuals age 18 and older in a convenient drive-through setting at the medical center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 8. The Brooke and Hancock County Health Departments and CHANGE, Inc. are working with the Weirton Medical Center to hold the event. The health departments will also offer the pneumonia vaccine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an average of 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized from serious flu-related complications each year in the U.S. The flu is a contagious disease that can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to hospitalization and even death.

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever (usually high), body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. However, because flu symptoms can mimic the symptoms of other respiratory illnesses, it can be very difficult to know if a respiratory infection is caused by the flu virus or not.

Seasonal flu is the influenza virus that typically occurs during the fall and winter months. Seasonal flu vaccine, if administered in the fall, can protect individuals from these more common types of flu viruses.

Seasonal flu is not the H1N1 flu. Declared a pandemic in June by the World Health Organization, the H1N1 flu spread quickly around the world in a matter of weeks this spring and summer. Health officials are bracing for the H1N1 flu to spread rapidly again this fall and winter. Seasonal flu vaccines are available now, but the H1N1 vaccines are not expected to be available until mid-October. The seasonal flu vaccines will not provide protection against the H1N1 flu virus.

Persons aged 65 years and older or 55 to 64 with a chronic health condition, who are at increased risk for pneumonia or its complications should receive the pneumonia vaccine, which is a once-in-a-lifetime vaccine. Persons at increased risk for pneumonia include those with chronic illness such as chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, chronic liver disease, or CSF leaks. A person may receive the seasonal flu vaccine in one arm and the pneumonia vaccine in the other arm.

This is the first time that the Weirton Medical Center is holding a drive-through vaccine program. The Brooke County Health Department held a drive-through flu vaccine program last year. The Hancock County Health Department offered a drive-through program several years ago when they distributed iodine pills as a drill for a nuclear disaster. Each of the organizations is required to hold drills to rehearse how they would handle the mass public in an emergency health situation.

The flu and pneumonia vaccines will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Children are not eligible for either vaccine. Registration is not required. Signs will be posted on the medical center’s property to direct participants to the area where the vaccines will be administered. Participants will be able to stay in their vehicles, but are advised to wear loose clothing. Those who have never received either vaccine before will be asked to park for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccines as a precaution against adverse reactions.

A fee of $20 payable by cash or check will be charged for each vaccination. Medicare will be accepted for covered participants. For more information, call the Weirton Medical Center at 304-797-6487, the Brooke County Health Department at 304-737-3665, or the Hancock County Health Department at 304-564-3343.