Mount Nittany Physician Group Flu Vaccine Clinics

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Overview
Overview
Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

Each year Mount Nittany Health offers drive-thru and in-office flu vaccine clinics at all of our primary care locations. The clinics help us vaccinate as many patients as possible in a safe and convenient manner. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling your Mount Nittany Health Primary Care provider or 814.278.4600.

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. During a typical flu season, millions of people get sick, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands die from flu related causes.  Everyone 6 months or older should get an annual flu vaccine. 


Instructions

In order to receive your flu vaccination, please follow these simple steps:

  1. Schedule an appointment by calling your Mount Nittany Physician Group Primary Care provider office OR 814.278.4600
  2. Please have your insurance card available when scheduling your appointment so that we can confirm your registration in advance if scheduled at the drive thru locations.
  3. Print and complete the checklist for each person being vaccinated and review the vaccine information sheet
  4. Arrive to the vaccination site at your designated day and time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should get vaccinated this season? 
  • According to the CDC, Everyone 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.

Why is it important to get a flu vaccine EVERY year? 

  • Flu viruses constantly change.  The flu vaccine may be updated from one season to the next in order to provide protection against what research indicates will be the common strain during the upcoming flu season. Also, your protection from a flu vaccine declines over time.  Yearly vaccination is needed for the best protection.

When should I get a vaccine this year? 

  • The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine early in the fall, with September and October being generally good times. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October.

Can I get season flu even though I got a flu vaccine this year?

  • According to the CDC, it is possible to get sick with flu even if you have been vaccinated (although the only way to know for sure is through a flu test). This is possible for several reasons:
  • You may have been exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after vaccination.
  • You may be exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. Each year, there are many types of flu viruses that circulate. A flu vaccine is made to protect against the 4 flu viruses that research suggests will be most common.
  • Some people, unfortunately, can become infected with a flu virus that the vaccine is designed to protect against, despite getting vaccinated. However, flu vaccination has been shown to reduce severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

What do I do once I arrive at the drive thru vaccination site? 

  • When entering the vaccination site, please follow directional signs. Remove all jackets and coats and expose your upper left or right arm (whichever is next to the vehicle door window). Please stay alert and silence cellphones.

At the drive thru clinics, will I be asked to exit my vehicle? 

  • Vaccinations will be given in patient vehicles; children under the age of 6 may need to exit the vehicle or come inside the clinic for their vaccination.

 How much time should I allow?

  • We ask that you allow 20 – 30 minutes to complete the vaccination process.

At the drive thru clinics, can more than one person in a vehicle receive a flu vaccination?

  • Absolutely and we encourage this! As long as each person has an appointment, we will be able to provide vaccinations to more than one individual in a vehicle. We ask that you bring the completed checklist for each individual who will receive the vaccine.