Published: September 25, 2020 | Updated: October 1, 2020
While the world is still grappling with a way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19, there is another virus on its way that we know how to help control. Flu vaccine shipments are arriving in the Louisville area, and health care providers are taking extra steps to make it easier to get a shot, with multiple options depending on your situation.
New and existing patients can schedule an annual wellness exam with a Norton Healthcare primary care office and get a shot at that time.
If you already have a Norton Healthcare primary care physician, Saturday hours on Sept. 26 and Oct. 17 will be available for established patients to get vaccinated at their Norton Community Medical Associates primary care office.
Our past routines for getting flu shots — at work or just while running errands — may not be available this season. This year, it’s especially important to make time.
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If you do not have a Norton Healthcare primary care physician, anyone in the community (age 2 or older) can get a flu shot with an appointment at a Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens location with extended evening and weekend hours.
“This would not be the season that I would say, ‘Hey, let’s just risk it’ because we are already wearing masks, keeping physically distant and cleaning our hands regularly,” said Monalisa M. Tailor, M.D., internal medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates – Barret. “We have two pieces — COVID-19 prevention measures and flu vaccines — that definitely can help us prevent the spread of influenza on top of preventing the spread of COVID-19.”
The flu vaccine typically stays in your system for about six months, so getting a shot in September or October should carry you through March when flu cases typically taper off, according to Dr. Tailor.
Because the flu virus mutates during the course of a season, it typically reduces the risk of needing medical care for the flu by 40% to 60%. The strains of flu to fight with each year’s vaccine are determined months ahead of time to allow for testing and production.
Select an appointment date and time from available spots listed below.