LANCASTER – Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH) will be holding a drive-thru flu clinic for the public from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the City of Hope front parking lot, located at 44151 15th Street West in Lancaster.
Adults (age 18 and older) can receive their flu vaccination free of charge, without having to leave their cars. There are 300 doses of the vaccine available, and it will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Those considering a flu shot should consult their physician if they:
- Have an allergy to eggs or any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
- Have had Guillen-Barre Syndrome.
- Are currently not feeling well.
“People should keep in mind that there is much that they can do to avoid getting the flu this year. By planning ahead and getting a flu shot early, they have a much better chance of staying healthy since it takes at least two weeks for immunity to the virus to build up,” stated Elizabeth Johnston, MSN, director of clinical risk, infection control and regulatory affairs for AVH.
“Also, they need to avoid other people who are sick and remember to wash their hands frequently during flu season,” Johnston added.
Vaccination for older adults is especially important, according to AVH officials.
A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that people 50 and older who got a flu vaccine reduced their risk of flu-associated hospitalizations by half. People 65 and older are at high risk of serious flu complications and account for the majority of flu hospitalizations and deaths each year, according to AVH officials.
For more information on the AVH drive-thru flu clinic, call 661‑726-6118.
[Information via news release from Antelope Valley Hospital.]
–