Sheridan VA hosts Veteran flu clinics, including Saturday dates

The Sheridan VA Medical Center has announced multiple walk-in flu clinics and are encouraging Veterans to get protected for this year’s season. 

Opportunities are available every week on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Additional clinics will be held on the following dates:

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. 

8 a.m. to 3 p.mThursday, Oct. 19.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday, Oct. 28.

According to the VA, patients interested in taking part in any scheduled flu clinic dates should come to the clinic area of Building 71 and check in at the front desk. In addition to the standard flu vaccine, the high-dose vaccine will be available for patients 65 years and older. Veterans will need to bring their VA identification and should consider wearing a shirt with easy access to the shoulder.

Veterans who have a fever, cough or any other coronavirus symptoms the day of their shot, should schedule an appointment with their care team at a later date.

Why get a Flu Shot now?

Vaccination to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, but it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body, so now is the time to get it done. Also, by getting a flu shot, you will be less likely to spread flu to others–every year hundreds of thousands of Americans are hospitalized with the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months or older should get a yearly flu shot. Flu can be serious among young children, older adults and those with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.

For answers to common questions and misunderstandings about the flu, click here.