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Montana veterans have multiple local options to get free flu shot

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News from Montana VA 

MONTANA — Over 6,200 Montana veterans have received flu shots at Montana VA Health Care System sites in the past month. Veterans have received flu shots at walk-in and drive-thru clinics at 14 sites from Plentywood to Billings and Hamilton to Kalispell.

“I encourage all our veterans and all Montanans to take proactive steps to be leaders to keep our communities healthy. Get your flu shot, cover your cough, wash your hands often, avoid high risk social activities and stay home when you are sick,” said Dr. Judy Hayman. “Your health depends on the health of your family, neighbors and healthcare teams, and their health depends on yours. We must count on each other to take action to keep our communities safe. I am grateful for the 6,200 veterans who have already had their flu shot and I thank them for their leadership.” 

If veterans were not able to attend the first round of MTVAHCS drive-thru or walk-in flu clinics, veterans still have multiple options to get their flu shot this year. First, veterans with scheduled MTVAHCS appointments will be offered flu shots at the time of their appointment. Second, MTVAHCS clinics in Anaconda, Bozeman, Billings, Cut Bank, Fort Harrison/Helena, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Havre, Hamilton, Kalispell, Lewistown, Miles City and Missoula are holding drive-thru or walk-in flu clinics. Finally, Montana Veterans can find community locations to get no-cost flu shots at flu shot locations across Montana at https://www.va.gov/find-locations (Search for “Community Pharmacies in VA’s network”). 

Influenza is a vaccine-preventable disease and can cause severe illness. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated there were more than 410,000 flu-related hospitalizations and more than 24,000 deaths in the United States during the flu season.

The flu will have the most negative impacts on children and high risk groups such as adults who are 65 years or older, pregnant women, people in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, individuals with medical conditions (such as heart disease, asthma and kidney or liver disorders) and people with weakened immune systems. 

This year, the Veterans Health Administration requires all VA employees to receive influenza vaccines. The 2020-21 flu season coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic. Influenza vaccination will reduce the overall healthcare burden of respiratory illness within VHA, protect employees and vulnerable veterans at risk for severe illness, and reduce surges that could threaten the healthcare system infrastructure during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

MTVAHCS’s overall trust scores — which derive from veteran rankings of their healthcare experiences — are at a historic high. MTVAHCS provides healthcare to veterans across Montana through a series of community-based clinics, the Miles City Community Living Center (Montana VA’s only nursing home), an acute care medical center, a nationally acclaimed sleep center and robust telehealth services. 

The MTVAHCS serves over 47,000 enrolled veterans across Montana — an area roughly 147,000 square miles in size. Veterans are cared for by a staff of 1,400 at 17 sites of care across the state. One third of Montana VA employees are veterans.

For more information, visit the MTVAHCS website and contact Public Affairs Officer Katie Beall at Catherine.beall@va.gov or 406-447-7303.

 

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