To help the community prepare for the 2021-2022 flu season, Heart of Texas Healthcare System is hosting a Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic on Nov. 10 outside Brady Medical Clinic. The event promises to be fast and efficient while giving area residents the protection they need to stay healthy over the coming months.
“Coronavirus continues to dominate headlines, but we must not lose sight of other health threats in existence, including the seasonal flu,” says Lonnie L. Vickers, MD, Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians at Brady Medical Clinic, a service of Heart of Texas Healthcare System. “Annual flu shots are the best prevention method for reducing the effects of the influenza virus, and we hope that people take advantage of the drive-thru clinic on the 10th.”
Everyone six months and older should get vaccinated at the beginning of each flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This year, flu vaccines in the U.S. are quadrivalent (four-component), meaning they are designed to protect against the four flu viruses that research indicates are most likely to spread and cause illness among people during the upcoming flu season.
According to health officials, it is possible to become sick with both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Both viruses are contagious respiratory illnesses, but different types of viruses cause them.
COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus, and seasonal flu is caused by infection with many influenza viruses that spread annually.
It is possible to have flu and other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 at the same time. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
Unlike the flu, COVID-19 can cause loss of sense of taste or smell. However, other symptoms of the two illnesses can be similar. Symptoms can include fever, chills, coughing, and muscle and body aches. Diagnostic testing is needed to determine which type of virus you have.
“It is still possible for someone who has received a flu shot from contracting the virus, but symptoms in such cases are typically less severe than someone who has not been vaccinated,” Dr. Vickers adds. “Prevention methods like immunizations, when available, continue to critical for our overall health.”
Wearing masks and physical distancing can help protect you and others from respiratory viruses like flu and COVID-19. However, the best way to reduce your risk of flu illness and its potentially serious complications is to get a flu vaccine each year for everyone six months and older.
Additionally, local health officials urge community members who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine do so as soon as possible. Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.
The Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic is taking place on Nov. 10, from 3:30 until 5:30 p.m., outside of Brady Medical Clinic (2010 Nine Rd.). High-dose flu vaccines are available for individuals aged 65 and older for $85. Regular dose vaccines are available for $20.
The drive-thru clinic is a cash-only event as insurance plans are not being accepted. Patients are asked to bring the exact dollar amount and to wear a mask while in their vehicle. Those interested in utilizing insurance for payment will need to schedule an in-clinic appointment.
For more information regarding flu shots, the drive-thru clinic, or to schedule an appointment with a local medical provider, please call Brady Medical Clinic at 325-597-2114.
About Heart of Texas Healthcare System
Heart of Texas Healthcare System provides healthcare for residents of McCulloch County and the surrounding area. Founded in 2011, the system offers many medical services, including 24-hour emergency care, advanced radiology services, a clinical laboratory, dialysis services, physical therapy, surgical services, patient education, sleep studies, and more. The system also owns and operates Brady Medical Clinic, which provides family medicine, preventive care, and acute care for minor emergencies. For additional information, please visit www.heartoftexashealthcare.org.