Drive-through flu shots on hospital menu

SAFETY HARBOR -- The flu.

A bug, the crud or just plain old sick.

All refer to the virus that literally send chills up and down the backs of the millions of people who catch influenza each year.

To help those on the go combat pesky flu symptoms, Mease Countryside Hospital has organized drive-through flu and pneumonia vaccine shots.

"Our mission is the improve the health of the community," said Matt Novak, spokesman for Mease Hospitals. "If we can find ways to offer flu and pneumonia shots to prevent people from getting ill, we want to make sure we do that."

From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, you can drive through the hospital's north parking lot and receive a flu or pneumonia shot by just hanging your arm out of the car window.

Flu shots will be available to all ages, but the pneumonia vaccinations will be offered only to those 65 and older. Younger people will need a doctor's note or some other referral for the pneumonia vaccine.

Cost of the flu vaccine is $15; the pneumonia vaccine is $20. Cash and checks will be accepted, as well as Medicare.

Here's how the drive-through program will work.

Motorists interested in receiving the shots can drive to the hospital at 3231 McMullen-Booth Road, choose the lane in which the flu or pneumonia shot will be administered and stop at the first of three stations.

The first station is to complete paperwork consisting of personal information and a medical waiver. The second stop is to administer the shot. At the third, there will be an optional Tylenol pill in case swelling or fever develops.

"Depending on if there is a long line, they can be out of there in 5 to 6 minutes," said Barbara Baker, a registered nurse and clinical coordinator for Mease Hospitals' community health program. "If there is a long line, then it will probably be more like 10 to 15, but we usually get them out pretty quickly."

This is not the first time drive-through flu shots have been offered in north Pinellas County. A couple of years ago they were offered at Countryside Mall, now called Westfield Shoppingtown.

A flu shot is recommended for everyone older than 50 and anyone in the health care profession working with large groups.

Also encouraged to get one are people living in dorms, healthy children 6 to 23 months old, people traveling in organized tour groups and those with weakened immune systems.

Those who should not get the shot include anyone allergic to eggs or to Phimerosal, a mercury derivative.

For information, call (727) 734-6081.

-- Leon M. Tucker can be reached at (727) 445-4167 or tucker@sptimes.com .

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