By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A free flu clinic is being held at the St. Joseph Civic Arena Thursday, a clinic that will offer both a flu vaccine as well as a vaccine or booster against COVID-19.
The clinic is free for any adult 18 or older who lives or works in Buchanan County.
Stephanie Malita with the St. Joseph Health Department points out the department offered the coronavirus vaccine along with the flu shot last year and quite a few people took advantage of it.
“Now one thing to note to, if you’re getting the COVID vaccine, there is a 15-minute monitoring period after the vaccine is done and we’ll have accommodations for that as well,” Malita tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Malita says those going to the Civic Arena for the free flu clinic should go to the upper-level ticket lobby, because the sidewalk on the lower level is under construction. Patrons can enter through the south-facing doors. Likely, the best parking will be the free public lot to the east of the Civic Arena. Limited street parking will be available.
The clinic opens at 9am Thursday. It will run until noon or while supplies last.
The St. Joseph Health Department has about 300 doses of influenza vaccine available. The department administers the quadrivalent flu vaccine, Flulaval, which is designed to protect against four different flu viruses: two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. Also on hand will be the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, both the first and second dose as well as the bi-valent booster.
No appointment is needed. This is a walk-in clinic.
Malita says vaccinations are important to the overall health of the community.
“These vaccines are critically important to keep the community as a whole healthy and we recognize that not everyone wants to get the vaccine, not everybody can get it,” Malita says. “So, it’s important that those of us who have the ability to get, it doesn’t impose any risk at all, that we’re stepping up and getting that vaccine.”
Malita says residents are encouraged to bring their health insurance card or their Medicaid or Medicare card, but no payment will be required.
“Our vaccine clinics all run free of charge and vaccines that you receive here at the health department,” Malita says. “We do not charge anything out of pocket.”
If you want more information, call the St. Joseph Health Department at 816-271-4725.
The health department office at 904 S. 10th Street will be closed during the clinic. It will reopen Friday.
Matt Pike contributed to this story.