September 4, 2020 –
Adults will be able to get their immunization without leaving their car at this year's FHN Flu Shot Clinics.
Due to precautions helping to stop the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, FHN officials have made the decision to offer only drive-through flu shot clinics this year.
“We hope that because of the increased awareness of health precautions this year due to COVID, people will make getting their flu shot a priority,” said FHN Infection Preventionist Margie Kochsmier, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CIC. “You don't ever want to get the flu, but this year, people are really working hard to stay healthy, and a flu shot is an important tool to help accomplish that.”
At the drive-through clinics, adults under 65 years of age will get a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against four strains of influenza for $30.
Persons over 65 will receive a high-dose version of the four-strain vaccine ($65).
Children cannot receive their flu shot at any of the drive-through clinics, but FHN provider offices will have appropriate dosages for pediatric patients as well as for adults.
Immunizations at the drive-through flu shot clinics may be paid for by cash, credit card, or check payable to FHN. Receipts will be available to submit to individuals' healthcare insurance provider for reimbursement.
There will be no out-of-pocket expense if you are covered by Medicare Part B (please present Medicare card) or a Medicare HMO accepted by FHN (list available at each location - covered persons MUST present the Medicare HMO card instead of the Medicare card for the billing process).
Please note that these prices are only available at these flu shot clinics; other rates may apply in FHN offices.
Because of federal guidelines to prevent identity theft, everyone must present a photo ID to receive an immunization. People are asked to wear a shirt or top that makes their upper arm easily accessible. All persons in vehicles attending a drive-thru clinic must arrive wearing a face covering; those receiving a shot will be given a 2-ply reusable fabric FHN mask after their shot for future use.
Persons with allergy to eggs or the flu vaccine, those with an illness accompanied by a fever or depressed immune system should not receive the flu immunization at these locations. For more information, call FHN Community Services at 815-599-7437.
This year's public drive-through flu shot clinics are:
Sept. 23 3-6 p.m.; FHN Family Healthcare Center-Burchard Hills, 1010 W. Fairway Drive, Freeport
Sept. 26 9 a.m.-noon; FHN Family Healthcare Center-Burchard Hills
Sept. 30 3-6 p.m.; FHN Family Healthcare Center-Burchard Hills
Oct. 3 9 a.m.-noon; Terrapin Park, 350 West Street, Elizabeth (next to the Elizabeth Grand Antique Mall)
Oct. 10 9 a.m.-noon; Eastland High School, 500 S. School Drive, Lanark
Oct. 14 3-6 p.m.; FHN Family Healthcare Center-Burchard Hills
Oct. 17 9 a.m.-noon; Eastland High School
For more information on FHN's flu shot clinics and how you can avoid the flu, visit www.fhn.org/flu2020.asp.
FHN, a not-for-profit organization with nearly 1,200 employees, is an award-winning regional healthcare system committed to the health and well-being of the people of northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin. FHN Memorial Hospital has been recognized as one of the state's top hospitals for safety by the Leapfrog group and Healthgrades as well as by the world's largest, completely independent, non-profit product- and service-testing organization. FHN caregivers serve an average of 1,500 people each day across FHN's 19 locations in 5 counties spanning northwest Illinois. Organized in 1995 as an integrated healthcare delivery system, FHN is comprised of FHN Memorial Hospital, the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital, 13 family healthcare centers offering primary and specialty medical care, hospice, and outpatient mental health services. For more information about FHN, please visit www.fhn.org.