Drive right up and get a flu shot

A drive-through is the best way to immunize large
numbers, with the least
exposure to illness.

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

AUSTINTOWN — A drive-through flu shot service planned by the Mahoning County Health Department is a handy way for residents to get the vaccine, and good practice for public health officials in pandemic preparedness.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

The public will enter the fairgrounds through Gate 8 on state Route 46 and will be directed to registration and flu shot areas.

Individuals seeking shots are asked to wear short-sleeved shirts or jackets that can be easily removed, said county health Commissioner Matthew Stefanak.

Remain in vehicles

Participants can remain in their vehicles while completing the registration forms and receiving their influenza vaccines.

County health officials encourage children 6 months of age and older, adults and seniors to get a flu shot.

“I think it will be convenient, particularly for the frail,” Stefanak said of the drive-through service.

If pandemic influenza or other disease emerges, people will be advised to stay home and not congregate in public places — a concept called “social distancing.”

A drive-through setup would be the best way to immunize large numbers of people with the least amount of exposure to the potential illness or disease, Stefanak said.

Pandemic means an epidemic, or sudden outbreak, of a disease or illness, such as the flu, that becomes very widespread and affects a whole region, a continent or the world.

Stefanak said 30 to 35 members of his department, including nonmedical personnel, will be on hand to operate the drive-through service.

The event will have an incident command structure with Diana Colaianni, head of the nursing division, as its commander.

“We’re geared up for a huge turnout,” Stefanak said.

The cost of the flu shot is $20. Medicaid and Medicare recipients are asked to bring their cards for billing purposes. Also, people are asked to bring their driver’s licenses.

Medicaid is a program, jointly funded by the states and the federal government, that reimburses hospitals and physicians for providing care to qualifying people who cannot finance their own medical expenses.

Medicare is a program of the U.S. Social Security Administration that reimburses hospitals and physicians for medical care provided to qualifying people 65 years of age and older.

alcorn@vindy.com