St. Joseph's Hospital to offer quadrivalent flu vaccine at Drive-By Flu Clinic Oct. 10

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.- St. Joseph’s Hospital will offer the quadrivalent flu vaccine at a Drive-By Flu Clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10. The clinic will be held outside the main lobby of the Hospital. A second walk-in clinic will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8 in the lobby.

The quadrivalent vaccine will guard against four strains of flu rather than the usual three. These four-in-one vaccines will protect against two common Type A strains called H1N1 and H3N2 and the two distinct strains of Type B. There are no out-of-pocket expenses for those with a valid Medicare card. Cost for all others is $30.

People should begin getting vaccinated soon after the flu vaccine becomes available in order to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. In the meantime, you are still at risk for getting the flu. That's why it's better to get vaccinated early in the fall, so you are protected before flu begins spreading in your community.

The vaccination is extremely important for young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, people with existing medical conditions, and those people who are in contact with those at greatest risk. Vaccinations will be available at the clinic for anyone over the age of 18; for vaccinations for children under the age of 18, please see your family physician.