Cars line up for “drive-thru flu clinic” shots

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- More people are expected to get flu shots at the 17th annual Macon-Bibb County Health Department’s “Drive-Thru” Flu shot clinic.

The health department’s medical staff will start seeing drive-thru flu shot patients at 8 a.m., on Friday and will continue until 1 p.m. The Macon-Bibb County Health Department is located at 171 Emery Highway.

Nearly 300 people lined up in their cars, Thursday, at the health department wanting to get a “drive-thru” flu shot. Nurses started giving seasonal flu vaccinations at 8 a.m., and they will continued throughout the day until 1 p.m.

The Wellborn family was among the drivers waiting in line for the flu vaccine. They described the drive-thru as “convenient and helpful.”

“They were very gentle and easy, with my husband,” says Jane Wellborn, who brought along her brother, Harry Simmons along for his flu shot. “He said he didn’t even feel it.”

Most people said the process was easy and simple. They pulled under to the carport of the health department. Then they filled out documents, such as vaccine information sheets and consent forms. They had to present their insurance cards and show a picture identification card.

According to Macon-Bibb Health Department Administrator, Nancy White the flu shots cost $25 each. It is covered by insurance without a co-pay or a deductible.

“Most people are not paying anything because it’s a preventative health service,” says White. White added, 50,000 Americans die of influenza every year.

“It really is a serious health threat,” she explained. “The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends all people age six months and older get the annual flu vaccine. We have a special dose for adults 65 and older, that gives them extra immunities.”