STAR JOURNAL

Flu vaccinations are now available for Veterans enrolled in VA health care.  Veterans may request the flu shot at their regularly scheduled VA appointments.

Veterans may also get vaccinated during free walk-in flu shot clinics at the Rhinelander VA Clinic 1-3:30 p.m. each Friday from Oct. 26 to Nov. 23.  No appointment is necessary.  The clinic is located at 639 West Kemp Street.

Veterans may call 800-215-8262, extension 34758, for updated VA Flu Shot Clinics in the Upper Peninsula and northeast Wisconsin.

“Some people are worried that getting the flu shot will give them the flu, but that is a myth since flu shots either contain inactivated flu viruses or no viruses at all,” said Ann Mattson, RN, Infection Control Nurse at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain.

Another misconception is that the flu shot prevents the stomach flu.

“The flu is a respiratory disease, not a stomach or intestinal ailment, therefore the flu shot is not going to prevent what many call the ‘stomach flu,’” added Mattson.

The VA has also partnered with Walgreens to provide no-cost flu shots to enrolled Veterans without filling out VA forms or carrying paper records. Veterans can simply go to their local Walgreens, tell the pharmacist they receive care at a VA facility, and show their Veterans Identification Card or other proof they are enrolled in the VA health care system.   The immunization record will be updated electronically in the Veteran’s VA medical record.