HELENA — The Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS) is holding its annual flu clinic this Tuesday, October 6, for Veterans at its Fort Harrison VA campus (3687 Veterans Drive, Fort Harrison).
Veterans can receive a flu shot at Tuesday’s drive-thru clinic from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
To receive a flu shot, all Veterans will remain in their vehicle and staff will come to them. Veterans can also receive flu shots every Monday and Wednesday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. outside of the Emergency Room entrance.
The facts about influenza are that it can cause severe illness and is a vaccine-preventable disease. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated there were more than 410,000 flu hospitalizations and more than 24,000 deaths in the United States during the flu season.
“In minimizing our risk of influenza, we make a decision that is the most responsible and proactive for ourselves and our community. The flu shot protects ourselves, our loved ones, the healthcare professionals who care for us, and our most vulnerable populations,” said MTVAHCS Executive Director, Dr. Judy Hayman.
The flu will have the most negative impacts on high risk groups such as adults who are 65 years or older, pregnant women, people in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, individuals with medical conditions (such as heart disease, asthma, and kidney or liver disorders), and people weakened immune symptoms.
Montana’s Veterans have multiple options to get their flu shot this year. First, Veterans with scheduled MTVAHCS appointments will be offered flu shots at the time of their appointment.
Second, MTVAHCS are holding drive-thru or walk-in flu at fourteen clinics across the state. Finally, Montana Veterans can find community locations to get no-cost flu shots at flu shot locations across Montana (via www.va.gov/communitycare/flushot.asp [va.gov]).
