Courtesy of the Lincoln County Health Department
LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) will be holding drive thru flu clinics for all students that live in Lincoln County that are five years and older. These clinics provide the flu shot at no charge for children that are aged five through 19 and live in Lincoln County with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Kids have missed out a lot already due to COVID-19 in 2020. We have a safe and effective way to prevent another awful respiratory virus that is spread from person to person,” stated Jennifer Johnson, Public Health Nurse for Lincoln County Health Department. “Actions speak louder than words. There is no debate that the flu vaccine works to prevent severe illness from influenza.”
The drive thru flue clinics are no cost and voluntary. Parent(s)/guardian(s) need to be in the vehicle.
“If you are concerned that your child will be too scared or unable to manage this process, it is recommended that you make an appointment with their health care provider instead,” LCHD said.
Vaccines available will be inactivated quadrivalent flu vaccine (shot) and live attenuated vaccine (flu mist) as supplies last. No thimerosal or latex are present.
The vaccine information statements for the clinics must be read and acknowledged prior to receiving services. View the forms at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flu.pdf (inactivated flu) and www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/flulive.pdf (flu mist).
Parent(s)/guardian(s) can pre-register by completing a consent form up until two days prior to clinic at www.form.jotform.com/202574341455049. Paper copies will be available onsite for those that are unable to pre-register. Please be aware that this may increase waiting time for the clinic.
The following dates and times are set for the drive thru flu clinics, and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, LCHD urges parents to take advantage of these dates and times as much as possible.
- Tuesday, Oct. 13, at SARA Park, 900 W. Somo Ave., Tomahawk, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Merrill Festival Grounds, 2001 E. 2nd St., Merrill, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 26, at the Merrill Festival Grounds from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“Face coverings are required for all participants and children getting the vaccine need to be sitting near a window so LCHD staff can assist them easily,” LCHD said. “We ask that participants park and wait 15 minutes after getting the vaccine to make sure everyone is feeling well prior to driving off. This is a standard procedure for any vaccine clinic and is best practice to ensure safety. No early registration is required and wait time is unpredictable depending on how many families choose to attend. It is recommended to have toys, books or videos for the kids to use while waiting before and after to help pass the time.”
The Wisconsin Immunization Registry will be used for documenting the flu vaccine and parents can access their own child(ren)’s record by visiting www.dhfswir.org/PR/clientSearch.do?language=en.
LCHD will not be printing records during the clinic, but parent(s) and guardian(s) can always request personal immunization records by contacting their health care provider or LCHD at 715-536-0307 or via email at [email protected].