2021 Valdez Community Annual Free Flu Shot Clinic
Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2021-2022 to protect yourself, your family, and our community. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 and other patients. September and October are the best times to get a flu vaccine.
What is the annual community flu shot clinic and which agencies are involved?
A partnership of local Valdez agencies teams up every fall to offer a free flu shot clinic to Valdez residents.
Partnership agencies: DHSS Valdez Public Health Nursing, City of Valdez, Providence Valdez Medical Center, Valdez Fire Department, Prince William Sound College, Valdez City Schools, Valdez Medical Clinic LLC, The Alfa Doc, and many more!
Goals of the annual community flu shot clinic.
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- Assist residents with free flu immunizations to protect their health and the health of the community.
- Ongoing practice for administering vaccines to large numbers of people during public health emergencies. The clinic changes slightly every year for this reason. Different options and configurations are practiced to help us learn what works well and what doesn’t. Changes may include different locations, indoors vs drive thru, one large event vs. multiple smaller events, different days of the week, different times of day, requirements for appointments vs. drop-in, etc.
What is a POD?
You will hear the community flu shot clinic referred to as a “point of dispensing” clinic or a POD.
- An open POD is usually a larger event open to the general public.
- A closed POD is a smaller focused event just for a specific population – such as the employees of one specific organization or elders at the Senior Center. Closed PODs are scheduled in advance and not open to the general public.
2021 Flu Shot Clinic Options
- Saturday, October 9, 2021
- What: Drive-thru Open POD
- When: Last name starts with A-L, please drive thru 10am-noon. Last name starts with M-Z, please drive thru 1pm-3pm.
- Where: On the West Pioneer side of Hermon Hutchens Elementary school
- Who: Anyone 10 years and older
- Cost: Free
- Notes: Times split by last name into two sessions to help space out people and encourage social distancing. If members of a household have different last names, it is perfectly fine to pick just one session and drive thru together. Masks required. Flu mist and high dose options available upon request. Appointments are NOT required.
- Saturday, October 16, 2021
- What: Walk-in Open POD
- When: 9am-Noon
- Where: Inside Valdez Civic Center on Clifton Drive
- Who: Families with at least one child under 10 years old.
- Cost: Free
- Notes: Entire family can be vaccinated in addition to the children under 10. Masks required for anyone over the age of five. Flu mist and high dose options available upon request. Appointments are NOT required.
- Saturday, October 23, 2021
- What: Drive-thru Open POD
- When: 5pm-7pm
- Where: On the West Pioneer Drive side of Hermon Hutchens Elementary School
- Who: Anyone 10 years and older
- Cost: Free
- Notes: This event is for anyone who may have missed the first two events or may need an evening option. Masks required. Flu mist and high dose options available upon request. Appointments are NOT required.
- Closed PODs – By appointment only
- If you are an organization who serves a vulnerable population, are a major local employer, or are an individual who is home-bound, please call the Valdez Public Health Clinic to discuss if a closed POD may be the right option for you.
- None of the above work for you?
- Contact your healthcare provider, Valdez Safeway Pharmacy, or the Valdez Public Health Clinic for guidance regarding alternative options to receive a flu vaccination.
- Contact your healthcare provider, Valdez Safeway Pharmacy, or the Valdez Public Health Clinic for guidance regarding alternative options to receive a flu vaccination.
- Important COVID-19 safety note
- To help mitigate risk from COVID-19, masks are required for participants and volunteers during each of the open POD options listed above. If you are unable or unwilling to wear a mask, please contact the Valdez Public Health Clinic or your local medical provider for alternate options to receive a flu vaccination.
Want to volunteer for the community flu shot clinic? Volunteers of all skill levels needed!
