Hamilton Community Health Network is urging you to get your Flu Shot
Drive-thru flu vaccines start today
FLINT, October 20, 2020 – We are currently on the brink of the most critical flu season we have experienced in a long time. While the current dangers of COVID-19 are still apparent and the threats of a second wave loom, getting a flu shot is your best way to prevent getting the flu.
There are many misconceptions about the flu shot that keep people from getting the vaccine. But now, more than ever, it’s important to make an educated decision about the flu shot.
Kimberly Warden, director of quality improvement at Hamilton Community Health Network, explained a few of those misunderstandings.
First, the flu shot does not give you the flu. The flu virus in the vaccine is ‘dead’ and therefore cannot infect you. If you get sick within a week or so after getting a shot, it may be that you were already exposed to the virus. It takes the flu shot up to 2 weeks to be effective or build immunity. Second, the flu vaccine is safe. These vaccines go through many tests each year to assure you are getting a safe vaccine. Third, it is not better to get the flu than the flu vaccine. The Flu is a serious disease and can cause serious complications that can lead to death. “Choosing to get a flu vaccine in many cases can be a life or death decision in terms of preventative care, especially for those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, children, seniors and those at higher risk,” said Warden.
Hamilton Community Health Network is committed to seeing as many patients vaccinated as possible and has made getting the flu shot very accessible for patients and the general public. Hamilton’s medical clinics are offering flu shots by:
In-clinic during regular business hours; appointment needed
Drive-thru clinic locations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 – 4:00; appointment needed
Curbside 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM ; no appointment necessary
Curbside evening hours 5 – 7 PM on Wednesdays rotating clinic locations; no appointment necessary
The flu vaccine clinic locations will rotate, so call 810-406-4246 for further information or check out Hamilton’s Facebook page.
These are all NO-Cost clinics, meaning we will not charge anyone but will ask those who have insurance to help cover the costs and allow us to continue to provide no-cost flu vaccine clinics in our community. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 810.406.4246 or go online to hamiltonchn.org.
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Matthew Frierson
Hamilton Community Health Network
Communications and Outreach Specialist
