Seasonal flu vaccine clinics start early in Rock County
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Public Health Nurse Joel Mallari injects an influenza vaccine at the Rock County Public Health Department in Janesville during walk-in vaccinations.
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Public Health Nurse Jennifer Weadge injects Dalton Miatke, 18, with a flu shot at the Rock County Health Department. Miatke came to get a shot following the recommendation of UW-Lacrosse, where he will start classes after Labor Day.
JANESVILLE — Just roll up your sleeve, stick your arm out the car window and get your flu shot.
It can be just that easy as more places offer more convenient flu shots earlier this year.
Janesville Family Health Center, for example, is offering drive-up flu shots Sept. 17 for the first time after receiving positive reactions for years at its Beloit office.
“It’s gone over quite well,” said Cindy Groves, clinical manager. “People really appreciate (it).”
That ranges from busy people getting their vaccines on the noon hour to older folks who have a difficult time getting in and out of a car to parents with carloads of kids, she said.
Only adults can get the drive-up flu shots, and the arm must make it out of the window. There won’t be any crawling into the backs of vans, she said.
But remember: The seasonal flu shot will not protect against the swine flu, or H1N1.
The Centers for Disease Control is recommending flu shot providers start giving shots earlier this year so they’re ready to give the swine flu vaccine later, Groves said.
Nobody knows for sure, but local officials guess they’ll receive the swine flu vaccine in October.
“We’re putting an emphasis on it early this year because we want to get as many people vaccinated early this year so we will be able to provide H1N1 vaccines when they become available,” said Karen Cain, health officer at the Rock County Health Department.
More people likely will get the seasonal flu vaccine this year because of the heightened awareness, Cain predicts.
“There’s a lot of interest this year,” Groves said.
Her clinic provides shots for employers in the workplace, and she said she’s seeing an increase in the number of employees requesting the vaccine.
Getting a flu shot is important every year, Cain said.
“It’s really no more important this year than any other year, but I think there’s more awareness of it this year because of what’s going on with H1N1,” she said.
SEASONAL FLU SHOT CLINICS
No appointments are needed unless noted. Note: This may not be a complete list of area offerings.
-- Aurora Pharmacy (inside Woodman’s), 2819 N. Lexington Drive, Janesville. (608) 756-0949.
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Fridays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays. $30.
-- CVS Pharmacy, 1832 W. Court St., Janesville. (608) 752-9286.
1-5 and 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. Adults only.
-- Dean Riverview Clinic, 580 N. Washington St., Janesville. (608) 755-3500.
8 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Sept. 9, 16, 23, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4; Thursdays, Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5; 12:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 15, 22, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3; and 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 and Thursday, Oct. 8.
-- Mercy Health System, appointments are required unless otherwise noted. To make an appointment, call a location near you. $25.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, Mercy Beloit Medical Center, 2825 Prairie Ave., Beloit. (608) 363-5500.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 23 and Oct. 7, Mercy Brodhead Medical Center, 2310 First Center Ave., Brodhead. (608) 897-8664.
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Mercy Delavan Medical Center, 1038 E. Geneva St., Delavan. (262) 728-4301.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, Mercy Edgerton Medical Center, 217 N. Main St., Edgerton. (608) 884-9431.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 14, 21 and 28, Thursdays, Oct. 8 and 22, Friday, Oct. 30; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, Walk-ins only, Mercy Health Mall, 1010 N. Washington St., Janesville. (608) 741-3800.
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, Mercy Lake Geneva Medical Center, 350 Peller Road, Lake Geneva. (262) 249-0221.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Wednesday, Oct. 14, Mercy Milton Medical Center, 725 S. Janesville St., Milton. (608) 868-5800.
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, Walk-ins only, Mercy Walworth Hospital and Medical Center, Highways 50 and 67, Lake Geneva. (262) 245-0535.
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, Mercy Whitewater Medical Center, 507 W. Main St., Whitewater. (262) 473-0400.
-- Janesville Family Health Center, 1321 Creston Park, Janesville. (608) 757-1217.
Drive-up flu shots: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17
Walk-in flu shots: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9; 8 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Sept. 16; and noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23. $30.
-- Rock County Health Department, 3328 Highway 51, Janesville. (608) 757-5440. By appointment from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Mondays and Wednesdays and 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Fridays.
Beloit office, 61 Eclipse Center, Beloit. (608) 364-2010. By appointment from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Satellite clinics:
1-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Edgerton Public Library, 101 Albion St., Edgerton.
1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Milton Gathering Place, 715 Campus St., Milton.
10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Sept. 17, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 312 S. 3rd St., Evansville.
10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Orfordville Lutheran, 210 N. Main St., Orfordville.
1-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at Clinton Senior Center, 508 Front St., Clinton.
9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Scoville Apartments, 545 Public Ave., Beloit.
10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Beloit Senior Fair, 2460 Milwaukee Road, (Central Christian Church), Beloit.
1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Riverview Heights Apartments, 930 Washington St., Janesville.
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Janesville Senior Fair, 25 S. Pontiac Drive, (Marshall Middle School), Janesville.
9 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 6, at Evansville Senior Fair, 320 Fair St., (Evansville Community Center), Evansville.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Women’s Expo, 2809 N. Pontiac Drive, (Pontiac Convention Center), Janesville.
-- Target, 2017 Humes Road, Janesville. (608) 757-0834.
Everyday starting Friday, Sept. 25, through flu season. Adults only. $24.
-- Schnucks Pharmacy, 1501 Creston Park Drive, Janesville. (608) 752-7431.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13; 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17; noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, or call for other walk-in times. Adults only. $24.
-- Shopko, 2500 Humes Road, Janesville. (608) 754-7450.
5-9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28, and 9 a.m.-noon, Monday, Oct. 19. $30.
-- Walgreens, 601 W. Milwaukee St., Janesville. (608) 755-9805. Adults only. $24.99.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. today through Sept. 30, and 1-5 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 1 and Oct. 29.
Walgreens, 1740 Center Ave., Janesville. (608) 757-1261.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. today through Sept. 30; 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1; 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Walgreens, 1717 Milton Ave., Janesville. (608) 754-2278.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. today through Sept. 30; 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1; 1-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
Walgreens, 2519 Kettering St., Janesville. (608) 754-0007.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. today through Sept. 30; 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1; 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.
-- Wal-Mart Supercenter, 3800 Deerfield Drive, Janesville. (608) 754-3030.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9 and 10. Medicare Part B participants have no co-pay. Other costs not available.
-- Walworth County Health & Human Services, W4051 County NN, Elkhorn. (262) 741-3140.
Immunization clinics are available for children and parents at: 3-6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month; 3-6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month (flu vaccine won’t be available today); 9-11 a.m. the third Tuesday of the month, and 1:30-3:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month.
WHO SHOULD GET THE SEASONAL FLU VACCINE?
People who want to reduce their chances of getting the flu should get vaccinated, said Karen Cain, health officer at the Rock County Health Department. Certain people who are at higher risk from developing complications should particularly consider getting the vaccine.
They include:
-- Children age 6 months to 19 years old
-- Pregnant women
-- People 50 years old and older
-- People who have chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or respiratory problems
-- People living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities
-- People, such as health care workers, who care for high-risk people
-- People who have high-risk people in their home
Sep 9, 2009 at 3:30 p.m.
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I have never gotten a flu shot and have only had the flu a few times in my life. I like to think that I have a pretty good immune system. I have a daughter who's a year old and does not have much contact with the outside world (no daycare/babysitter). I don't think I'll get her vaccinated at this time, but you all have great points on both sides. You really have me thinking! I guess I'll check with her doc and see what she recommends.
Sep 9, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
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The swine flu vaccine production was "rushed" and the vaccine has never been tested on humans. Do you like to play guinea pig for Big Pharma? If so, line up for your swine flu shot...
Sep 9, 2009 at 12:45 p.m.
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supermom, the seasonal flu vaccine generally works well, but they have to reformulate it every year. There are always going to be people who get one of the strains that is not in the vaccine. Generally, except for high-risk groups, this is harmless. The more people who receive the vaccine, however, the fewer people in high-risk groups will be exposed. This is why widespread vaccination is important.
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Guillan-Barre Syndrome is very rare and the association with the swine flu vaccine of the 1970s is not proven. It is caused by a common bacterium, not the vaccine itself. The risk is believed to be around 1 person infected for 1 million vaccinated persons.
http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/about/qa/gbs.htm
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The risk of swine flu is much higher, particularly for non-vaccinated persons. Even with vaccination, by a brand-new H1N1 vaccine, as many as 40% of Americans are expected to be sickened over 2009-2010.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health...
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To put it another way, vaccinating 1/3 of the American population, 100 million people, could infect up to 100 people with GBS if the risk hypothesis is correct. But swine flu *deaths* in the United States are already at 593, and hospitalizations have exceeded 9,000.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/us/#t...
Sep 9, 2009 at 9:39 a.m.
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My uncle came down with GBS after the swine flu vaccine back then. He spent 6 months in UW Children's Hospital completely paralyzed. He did seem to recover, but a couple years ago, he came down with a weird disorder like ALS that they can't quite diagnose but say that it is from the GBS he had 40 years ago. My mother, myself and my children have never had flu shots as GBS has always been listed as a possible side effect to all flu shots. I now have many other reasons that I wouldn't get the shot or give it to my children, but that was my starting point.
Sep 9, 2009 at 8:29 a.m.
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Swine Flu Vaccine Linked to Paralysis, Leaked Memo Reveals
http://www.naturalnews.com/026866_swine_...
Sep 9, 2009 at 8:14 a.m.
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It's funny how the flu vaccine never protects you from the strain that's going around anyway. It's like that every year and people still flock to get it.
Sep 8, 2009 at 10:35 p.m.
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raystone: I guess some people will believe anything, if the web site is fancy enough, looks legitimate and talks about some "gummint" conspiracy that they really, really wanna believe in . . .
Sep 8, 2009 at 10:15 p.m.
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No thanks.... http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl...
Sep 8, 2009 at 9:56 p.m.
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Kitten: Actually, the CDC says gloves are not necessary when giving injections. However, most agencies require their staff to wear at least one glove.
Sep 8, 2009 at 5:48 p.m.
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Just out of curiosity, why is Jennifer Weadge only wearing one glove?
Sep 8, 2009 at 5:06 p.m.
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People often say they'll tough it out, but the point of public health vaccinations is to reduce the spread to the whole population. If it helps, just think of whether you want to spread it to any of your close relatives or friends. It's not just about you!
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