When Howard County health officials wanted to give out a large quantity of flu shots in a short period of time, they borrowed an idea from the master of mass consumption ? fast food. The county plans to hold a “drive-thru” flu clinic, one of the largest in the nation?s history, in October.
“It?s just like the drive-thru at McDonald?s,” said Lorraine Quarrick, immunization supervisor for the Howard County Health Department.
“You stay in your car the whole time and we give you a shot through the window.”
The clinic will be held from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Oct. 15 along the two-mile outer loop of Columbia Gateway Drive for residents ages 5 and older.
“We know it?s a good idea for people who aren?t able to walk or wait in line,” Quarrick said.
“We wanted to do it on a weekend, so people could bring an elderly family member. This is the first time we?re doing it at such a large scale.”
Dr. Charles Haile, chief of the division of infectious diseases at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, said there?s no way to know whether this year?s flu season, which stretches from October to March, will be worse than any other year.
“Flu is almost whimsical in its occurrence or lack thereof,” Haile said.
“The earliest it begins to circulate is October. Some years, it?s minimal; some years, it?s quite severe.”
The clinic also will test Howard County?s ability for mass immunization should an influenza outbreak or other pandemic occur. In addition to flu shots, the FluMist nasal vaccine will be available for a cost of $20 per vaccine, but free to children younger than 11.
At a glance
The drive-thru flu clinic kicks off Howard County?s second annual Community Readiness Week, which will include a “hard hat” preview of the county?s new Public Safety Training Center, a Disaster Volunteer Fair, Community Emergency Response Network Neighbor-to-Neighbor workshops, an annual test of the county?s Community Notification System and a chance to meet Howard County?s own “Flood Team” and learn how they monitor flood conditions throughout the county.
Source: Howard County government
