Stafford County, in conjunction with the Rappahannock Area Health District of the Virginia Department of Health, will host a drive-through seasonal flu clinic on Friday, October 23, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Stafford Regional Airport, located at 75 Aviation Way in Stafford.

The clinic is the largest mass vaccination ever attempted in the history of the Virginia Department of Health, according to Dr. John Petrasky, director of the Rappahannock Area Health District. “Seasonal flu causes 36,000 flu-related deaths and more than 200,000 flu-related hospitalizations each year,” he said. “Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best protection against the seasonal flu and will prevent you from spreading it to others.”

Nurses with the Rappahannock Area Health District and the Medical Reserve Corp will give up to 3,000 free seasonal flu vaccines on a first-come, first-served basis to individuals who attend the mass clinic. It is important to note that these are not vaccinations for the H1N1 virus.  Because of the size of this clinic, individuals should be prepared to see long lines.

Individuals must meet the following criteria to receive a seasonal flu shot:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Have a history of a previous seasonal flu shot.
• Stay in their vehicles. The vaccine will only be given to individuals in a vehicle. Up to four individuals can be in one car, but no more.
• Nurses will not give the vaccine to individuals on foot.
• Windows must be able to roll down completely.
• Short sleeves must be worn. Nurses will not roll up sleeves. Long sleeve shirts do not roll up high enough to place the shot in the proper site. If a sleeve is unable to be pulled high enough, the vaccine will not be given.
• All individuals must stay in line in their cars. Questions will be taken by a nurse before vaccines are given.
• Commercial vehicles will not be allowed to participate in the clinic.

In addition to the above criteria, each individual is strongly encouraged to bring a completed and signed Influenza Vaccination Consent for Mass Immunization Clinic form to the event.  The form will be available on the Stafford County Web site at www.staffordcountyva.gov under the “Hot Topics” menu. If a person does not have a form, there will be some available for them to fill out at the clinic. However, this will increase a person’s wait time because they will have to get out of line and go to another area to fill out the form.

Stafford Regional Airport is located at 75 Aviation Way, Fredericksburg, Va., 22406.

Drivers are encouraged to take Interstate-95 and use exit 136 to Centrepoint Parkway. Follow signs to direct you to immunization staff. Preference will be given to cars approaching from Mountain View Road.