Hundreds turn out at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and La Crescenta Library for free influenza vaccines.

CVW wants to again remind readers that flu season has arrived and how important it is to get a flu shot as the winter months draw near.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] everyone 6 months of age and older should get the influenza [flu] vaccine every season. However, there are some people who the CDC recommends not receive the vaccine; these include children younger than 6 months old and people with severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine in general or any ingredient in the vaccine in particular.
“This might include gelatin, antibiotics or other ingredients,” according to the CDC.

People who have concerns regarding getting vaccinated should speak to their family physician prior to getting the shot; however, for the majority of people the CDC advises to get the shot.

In the past, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital held its health fair in the lower parking lot of the hospital/medical building. There would be a pumpkin patch, information booths and a booth where people could receive a free flu shot. With the advent of COVID-19, though, the idea of the health fair had to be reworked in accordance to the pandemic guidelines issued by Los Angeles County.

On Saturday, USC-VHH staff held a very popular drive-thru flu vaccine event.

“This is the first time we have ever done this,” said Registered Nurse Jessica Thomas, associate administrator, Nursing Administration. “We have a great team of people.”

It did take a team to organize and operate the drive-thru. Once the announcement was made that the hospital would be offering free flu shots, within a very short amount of time all appointment spots were taken. About 326 people, in about 114 cars, were seen by hospital staff.
Drivers entered the parking lot from the east side of the hospital where they would be checked in, then drive to the tents where a nurse would give them the vaccine. A sticky note was placed on vehicles noting the time the car received the vaccine. The driver was then told to park in a designated spot.

“We asked them to wait 15 minutes,” Thomas said. “We monitored them for adverse affects and did a quick interview with them making certain they were feeling okay.”

Thomas said adverse reactions to the vaccine could include a scratchy throat or a rash.

“Those [adverse symptoms] are very rare; however, this is our standard practice for all vaccines,” she said.

There are some who report feeling as if they have the flu after receiving the shot but, according to Thomas, they do not have the flu.

“The vaccine doesn’t give people the flu,” she said.

Once cleared by staff, drivers prepared to leave but not before they were given a pumpkin and a bag with informational brochures.

Local resident Scott Foster and his mother-in-law Nancy Schoettler got their flu shots at the USC-VHH event. Foster said his wife works at USC-VHH in the neonatal intensive care unit. He knows how important it is to get the flu shot especially during this time of pandemic.

“We are extra cautious,” he said of his wife being on the medical frontline.

His mother-in-law is considered high-risk for COVID-19 and Foster wanted to make certain everything was done to keep her safe.

This year the flu season comes following several months of COVID-19. More people are wearing masks, washing their hands, social distancing or isolating so the spread of the flu may be less but, according to reports, symptoms of the flu can mimic COVID-19. It is anticipated that more stress will be put on hospital personnel as they triage patients to find who is infected with the flu and who is infected with COVID-19.
It is also a time when a strong immune system is more important than ever before.

“It is essential for everyone to get the influenza vaccine,” Thomas said. “You need to keep your immune system strong.”

The drive-thru influenza vaccine event was a success; Thomas said she was not sure if the hospital would hold another event of its type. That would be determined if the hospital could get more of the vaccine.

At the La Crescenta Library, an estimated 300 people stood in line on Tuesday afternoon to get their free flu shot.

“This is in partnership with the Los Angeles County Library and Public Health,” said Marta Wiggins, librarian at the La Crescenta Library.

Tuesday was the only day scheduled for the flu shot distribution at the La Crescenta Library; however, free flu shots are also being offered at other LA County libraries including on Nov. 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Huntington Park Library, 6518 Miles Ave. in Huntington Park, phone (323) 583-1461 and on Nov. 9 at the Lancaster Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 601 W. Lancaster Blvd., (661) 948-5029.

Flu shots are also being offered at local pharmacies including Rite Aid, CVS and Walgreens. It is recommended that people interested in getting a flu shot first contact the pharmacy for availability.
People can also contact their family physicians to see if vaccines are available through them.