Drive-Thru Flu Shots | Eastern North Carolina Now

Publisher's Note: This post appears here courtesy of ECU News Services. The author of this post is AUTHORNAME.


    ECU Physicians, the physician practice of the Brody School of Medicine, is offering guidance and safeguarding during this year's flu season.

    The practice is offering a drive-thru flu vaccine clinic to current patients and ECU employees and students. The clinic will be held from 7:30-11:30 a.m. every Monday and Thursday through Oct. 29 behind the ECU Family Medicine Center.

    "Now is the best time to receive your vaccine, specifically by the end of October," said Dr. Jason Foltz, chief medical officer of ECU Physicians.

    Walk-in clinics and daily vaccinations at ECU Physicians pharmacy locations are also being offered. Get schedules, requirements and other information HERE.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2019-20 influenza season continued to cause high numbers of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths following one of the deadliest influenza seasons on record in 2018-19. In North Carolina alone, there were 186 influenza-associated deaths last season.

    Foltz emphasized the importance of flu vaccinations during this season by answering some commonly asked questions about flu shots.

Why should you get the flu shot during the COVID-19 pandemic?

    Prevention of any condition is essential. It won't prevent you from getting COVID-19, but if will reduce your chance of getting the flu which can mimic similar symptoms of COVID-19. Getting a flu shot reduces the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths on the health care system, conserving resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

Is it safe to get a flu shot during the pandemic? Why?

    Yes. Per the Centers for Disease Control, for more than 50 years, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines.

Who should get the flu shot?

    Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year. It's especially important for patients at high risk of developing serious complications from the flu; such as, adults 65 and older, children under the age of two, pregnant patients, and those with chronic health conditions.

How can ECU Physicians patients get flu shots?

    Our patients have several options for receiving their vaccination this year:

1. At their scheduled appointment
2. Walking into one of our pharmacy locations
3. Access to our drive-thru vaccination clinic
4. Through a local pharmacy

Is there anything different this year from a provider prospective pertaining to the flu vaccine and/or vaccine delivery — COVID-19-related or otherwise?

    Due to COVID-19, we are offering a drive-thru clinic for our patients and their family members who are ages 10 and older. We are asking patients to complete a health information form in advance of arriving to the clinic located behind the ECU Family Medicine Center. The drive-thru clinic is offered every Monday and Thursday morning from 7:30-11:30 a.m. until the end of October. More information about the drive-thru and other vaccination clinic offerings is available on our flu prevention website.