Dr. Thea Petersen
We’re used to picking up coffee, lunch, or even cash at a drive-through. But how about a flu shot?
This year, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic and motivated to keep everyone safe by physically distancing, PeaceHealth Medical Group hosted its first drive-through flu shot clinics outside Cottage Grove Community Medical Center.
They were a roaring success! At the two October clinics we vaccinated 110 people against influenza.
All in all, both clinics went smoothly and we received positive comments from patients and caregivers. Patients said they appreciated the safety and convenience of driving up and getting their shot without even leaving their vehicle.
Our thanks go to everyone in the community who has been vaccinated this year. Influenza, or the flu, is a potentially serious viral illness that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. The flu can affect people differently, but every year millions of people around the world get the flu, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and tens of thousands die from flu-related complications. The annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others.
For those who haven’t been vaccinated, there’s still time. Oregon’s flu season runs from December to March.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months and older get the flu vaccine. The flu shot does not put you at higher risk of getting COVID-19 and does not give you the flu, either.
It is especially important during this pandemic to keep our community healthy and keep people out of the hospital with flu-related illness.
You can learn more flu facts at peacehealth.org/flushot
Dr. Thea Petersen is a family practice physician at PeaceHealth Medical Group in Cottage Grove.
