PEABODY — The City of Peabody Health Department, in partnership with the North Shore – Cape Ann Medical Reserve Corps, will be offering a Drive-Through Flu Clinic for residents aged six months and older on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinic is also open to Peabody city employees, including school employees, and Peabody public school students.
The clinic will take place at the Department of Public Service, 50 Farm Ave., Peabody.
“This year, it’s more important than ever that people get vaccinated against the flu,” said Health Director Sharon Cameron. “Flu vaccine will not prevent COVID-19, but it can reduce the burden of flu illness in our community, reducing hospitalizations and deaths, and ensuring that health care resources are available for the care of people with COVID-19. Everyone ages six months and up is recommended to be vaccinated against flu.”
Residents must bring their health insurance cards or Medicare cards or other insurance information, however, no participant will be turned away if uninsured or underinsured. Pre-registration is advised. To register, go to https://forms.gle/UHLCy2aaJeqUrrJf6.
Participants must remain in their cars.
In addition to the standard quadrivalent flu vaccine for adults and children, a limited quantity of High Dose flu vaccine will be available for people over the age of 65.
FluMist – the intranasal version of the vaccine – will be available for children if requested. All participants must wear facial masks at all times unless directed to remove them.
Pets are not permitted in any vehicles..
Residents are advised to wear clothing that provides easy access to the upper arm. Individuals must not have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 21 days and must not have been a close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 21 days. Individuals must prescreen themselves prior to attending the clinic to ensure they are free from the following symptoms: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea.
In line with the recommendations of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) , the Peabody Health Department encourages all Peabody residents six months of age and older to receive the flu vaccine this fall.
The CDC says that vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. People at high risk include people over the age of 65 and those suffering from chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease or stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
Flu vaccination has many important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Cameron said the flu vaccine is also available at many local pharmacies and doctors’ offices for those who do not wish to wait in line.
Participants should approach the clinic from the Centennial Park Jubilee Drive area rather than the Forest Street area or Route 1 for easiest access to the line.
This is not the first time the city has conducted drive-through vaccinations.
“We ran a drive-through flu clinic about 5 years ago as part of a test of our pandemic response plan,” Cameron said. “The drive-through format is helpful in promoting social distancing.”
For questions about the clinic, please contact the Health Department at 978-538-5926. For questions about the flu vaccine in general, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-seas
