It’s officially October. That means it’s also officially flu season.
Thursday in Butte County, health officials were prepared. They put on at least three different flu vaccination clinics where residents could get free flu shots. One was even a drive-thru clinic put on by Enloe Medical Center at Chico’s Calvary Chapel. There residents just drove up in their car, filled out a form and stuck out their arm.
Chico resident Mary Kelly said she’s come to the drive-thru clinic at least four or five times because it’s convenient and it saves her a yearly trip to the doctor.
“It’s just so easy,” she says. “It’s a piece of cake.”
Enloe Director of Clinic Services Jolene Nixon, who was one of the people administering the vaccinations on Thursday, said getting a flu shot is the best way stay protected from the virus.
“Everyone who is 6 months and older should be getting one, particularly people that are high risk,” she says.
High risk meaning they have an underlying chronic health condition.
Nixon said flu season in the United States typically runs from October through May, but it generally peaks between December and February. She said it takes about two weeks after a shot is received for the antibodies to fully provide the person protection from the flu.
“So recommendation is as soon as flu vaccine is available that people should get one,” she says.
Enloe's upcoming free flu vaccine clinics include:
Thursday, Oct. 8: Free walk-in clinic from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., while supplies last, at Calvary Chapel, 1888 Springfield Drive, in Chico. For smooth traffic, please use this driving route: Take Highway 32, turn south at Forest Avenue, turn right at the second Springfield Drive (about a mile). The first driveway into the clinic is the only entrance.
Saturday, November 14: Free walk-in clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while supplies last at Enloe's Community Wellness Expo, to take place in the lot at the corner of Fifth and Magnolia avenues.
Call the Butte County Public Health flu info line for a list of other clinics in Butte County: 1-866-444-2405
To see if there are free flu vaccination clinics scheduled in your area, check with your local hospital or your public health department.