Drive-Thru Flu, COVID-19 vaccines available at area county health departments

With the flu season upon us, county health departments throughout southwest Oklahoma will set up drive-thru clinics the first week of October to offer flu and COVID vaccines. The newly authorized bivalent COVID vaccine will be available at the drive-thru clinics and are also available on a walk-in basis at the county health departments in southwest Oklahoma.

Drive-thru vaccine clinics will be held at the following locations in southwest Oklahoma:

Tuesday, October 4 in Lawton from

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Great Plains Coliseum, 920 S.W. Sheridan Rd.

Wednesday, October 5 in Altus from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Jackson County Expo Center, 300

Todd Lane

Thursday, October 6 in Anadarko from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

First Baptist Church of Anadarko, 700 W. Petree Rd.

Friday, October 7 in Elk City from

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Elk City Convention Center Barn, 1016 E. Airport Industrial Rd., (south building)

No appointment is necessary to attend the drive-thru clinic. There is no out-of-pocket expense for the vaccines, but residents are asked to bring their I.D. and insurance card. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present.

Anyone who cannot attend the drive-thru event is encouraged to call their local county health department to determine their best option to access the vaccination.

The flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and death. Visit Oklahoma.gov/health/fightflu to learn more about flu shots in Oklahoma.

“Persons at high risk of serious complications from flu are especially advised to get the flu shot, including people 65 and older, pregnant women and those with asthma, diabetes or other chronic conditions. Parents and family members of babies less than 6 months of age and people who live with or care for anyone at high risk for complications from the flu, including health care workers, should also get the vaccine,” said Brandie Combs, District 5 Regional Administrative Director.

Who should get the new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine and when?

“These new, updated booster doses are expected to provide better protection against the current circulating Omicron variant,” said Dr. Gitanjali Pai, Chief Medical Officer for OSDH. “The updated bivalent boosters include components of both the original coronavirus strain and the Omicron variant.”

If you are receiving a booster dose, please bring your vaccination card with you. Influenza vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.

- Bivalent formulations of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are currently recommended for use as a single booster dose at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination.

- The bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine is authorized for use in individuals 12 years of age and older.

- The bivalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine is authorized for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.