Getting a flu shot is the BEST way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the seasonal flu. And, to make it a little easier to get your flu shot this year, the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) will hold its first drive thru flu shot clinic, "Drive Thru to Boo the Flu" on Saturday, October 10, 2009. 
Nurses and volunteers will be on hand in the parking lot at the VNA's new location - 2401 Valley Drive in Valparaiso - from 10 am until 1 pm to administer flu shots. Just drive up and park in the designated area. A nurse will visit your car to administer the flu shot. You are required to stay for at least 10 minutes to assure there are no adverse reactions to the vaccine, and VNA volunteers will offer cookies, coffee and hot chocolate to help pass the time.
The clinic will be held rain or shine. Please wear short sleeves to allow the flu shot to be easily administered. Flu shots cost $30 cash/check or presentation of your Medicare Part B card.
Influenza or flu is a serious disease of the nose, throat, and lungs. It can make you sick for a week or longer with coughing, fever, aching, and more. It can lead to pneumonia and make already existing health problems such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease worse. Each year in the U.S. about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
You may be at high risk for complications from the flu if you are age 65 years and older; age 9 years and older with a chronic medical condition such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, neuromuscular disorders and immunological problems, or a pregnant woman. If you are a health care worker with direct patient contact or a caregiver/household contact of an infant less than 6 months old you should also consider a flu shot to help keep you and those in your care from getting the flu. The VNA is not able to vaccinate children under the age of 9 years.
At this time, only seasonal flu vaccine is available at VNA flu shot clinics. The VNA continues to collaborate with the Porter County Department of Health for future H1N1 immunizations.
For a complete list of flu shot clinics, check the VNA website at www.vnaportercounty.org, or the Flu Clinic Locator at www.vnaa.org. You may also call the VNA Flu Phone at 219-531-8088 for additional updates and information.