Health department offers free flu vaccinations to students

November 4, 2020

Jatrissa Wooten,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — As flu season arrives and the pandemic still threatens people, the Macon-Bibb County Health Department is giving students free flu vaccinations.

Every year the health department hosts school-based vaccination clinics to provide a free flu vaccination for middle and high school students in the county.

“With students being virtual this year, we still wanted to get them in for the vaccinations. It’s so important,” Stacy Carr, health coordinator and school nurse for Bibb County.

Carr stresses the importance of getting a vaccination because of the pandemic. She says the vaccine can help students reduce respiratory illnesses.

“One station is to fill the paperwork out, then next station, they will get their flu vaccine,” Carr said.

Due to COVID, the health department made their annual flu clinic a drive-thru with social distancing and masks.

“Anything we can do to stay healthier and prevent any illnesses to our students and our community,” Carr said.

The nurse says vaccinations are free and students do not need insurance.

Carr says the shots are essential. However, she says it can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to death.

Carr says you can’t get the flu from getting a flu vaccination, but it does take two weeks for it to take full effect.

Flu vaccination clinic information

Flu vaccination clinics will take place at the Macon-Bibb County Health Department, 171 Emery Hwy, Macon, GA 31217 this week.

Parents should bring their insurance card to the drive-through clinic. However, Bibb students will receive the vaccination with or without proof of insurance.

Wednesday, 11/4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.