During the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the overall burden of respiratory illness is important to protect vulnerable populations at risk for severe illness.For the upcoming flu season, a flu shot will be very important because it can help reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses on the community.
“Getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, however flu vaccination has many other important benefits,” explains James Bien, MD, chief medical officer for Indiana University Health Arnett. “Flu vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. Influenza has the highest death rate of any disease for which a proven vaccine exists and can be fatal in patients who are seriously ill.”
IU Health Arnett is offering multiple ways for patients of IU Health to receive a flu shot.
For patients of IU Health age 11 or older:
- Request a flu shot during any in-person visit with a healthcare provider.
- The IU Health Arnett Retail Pharmacy, located at Entrance 4 of IU Health Arnett Hospital, is providing walk-in and curbside flu shots. No appointment is necessary at this location. Patients may park in the designated Pharmacy spots and call the number on the sign. A Pharmacy team member will come to the vehicle to administer the flu vaccine (weather dependent). Pharmacy hours are Monday – Friday, 8 am – 7 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am – 5 pm. Call 765.448.8900 and press 0 to learn more.
- Drive thru flu clinics will be held every Saturday and Sunday in October from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm at the IU Health Arnett Medical Offices located at 2600 Greenbush Street. To schedule an appointment for the drive thru clinic, call 765.448.8100.
For pediatric patients of IU Health:
- Pediatric flu clinics will be held on Saturdays from 8 am – 2 pm, September 19 through November 21 at the IU Health Arnett Medical Offices located at 253 Sagamore Parkway in West Lafayette. Appointments are required. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To schedule an appointment, please call 765.448.8100.
Patients with Indiana Medicaid, part of the Vaccines for Children (VCF) program must schedule a regular office visit.
A flu vaccine provides several individual health benefits, such as keeping you from getting sick with flu, reducing the severity of your illness if you do get the flu and reducing your risk of a flu-associated hospitalization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone older than 6 months receive an annual flu vaccine as soon as the vaccine becomes available.
IU Health’s highest priority is patient safety. As a trusted leader in caring for people and advancing health, we are responsible for delivering the best care in the safest environment. Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2) and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
To learn more about the flu vaccination, visit iuhealth.org/flu.