Health District and City of Henderson team up for drive-up flu vaccine clinic

No-cost flu vaccines will be available for adults, 18 years of age and older

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 29, 2020

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District and the City of Henderson are teaming up to host an appointment-based, no-cost, drive-up flu vaccine clinic at the Fiesta Henderson Hotel and Casino parking garage. Registration is available at www.bit.ly/oct6flu. Drive-up and walk-up clients without appointments will be accommodated if vaccine supplies allow. The drive-up clinic will offer 400 doses of vaccine for adults.

The clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a station for walk-up clients will be located on the second floor of the garage. Flu vaccine will be available for adults, 18 years of age and older. The high-dose flu vaccine for people 65 and older will not be available at the drive-up clinic but is offered at Health District immunization clinic locations. People 65 and older can receive the flu vaccine available at this clinic. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, flu vaccine recipients will be required to wait in their cars for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine before leaving the site.

“This season, getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever to protect yourself, your family, and our community from flu,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, Acting Chief Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “Getting vaccinated can also help to ensure we conserve medical resources and do not overtax our health care system as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Leguen.

“The community’s best defense against getting the flu is to get vaccinated,” said Mayor Debra March. “The City of Henderson is pleased to partner with the Southern Nevada Health District to offer a flu vaccination clinic at no charge as a quick and easy measure to help protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our residents.”

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. It is especially important for those at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu. Many of the people at higher risk of complications from the flu are also at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. This includes people 65 years of age and older, people with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, compromised immune systems, and Blacks and Hispanics who are already disproportionately impacted by chronic diseases. It is also important to protect people more likely to be exposed to both COVID-19 and flu, including health care workers and essential workers who interact frequently with the public. A complete list of people at higher risk is available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm.

Flu vaccine for people of all ages, including the high-dose flu vaccine for people ages 65 and older, is available at Health District immunization clinics by appoint only. Call (702) 759-0850 for more information.

The most effective way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated every flu season. It is best to get vaccinated before flu viruses begin spreading in the community because it takes approximately two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu. However, people can be vaccinated anytime during flu season.

In addition to getting vaccinated, people should continue to take the following actions to stay healthy this flu season:

• Wear a cloth face covering in public or in groups of ten or more people who don’t live in the same household.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick. Stay home from work, school, and away from public places.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands frequently. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and cloth face covering.
• Practice healthy habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched items. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy meals.

For more information and flu resources, go to the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/flu.

The Health District, City of Henderson, and Henderson Fire Department drive up flu clinic location is:

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.