Montrose, COLO.— Stop the flu bug! Join Montrose County, Montrose Memorial Hospital, the City of Montrose, Cedar Point Health, the Basin Clinic, the River Valley Family Health Center, and Pediatric Associates on Wednesday Oct. 23 at the sixth annual free drive-through vaccination clinic. This year's drive-through clinic locations include the Montrose County Event Center (1036 North 7th Street, Montrose) and the Basin Clinic (421 Adams Street, Naturita).  An additional walk-up clinic will be hosted by the River Valley Family Health Center at the Olathe Town Park.

"There was a possibility that the flu clinic was not going to happen this year as it was difficult to find vaccine and funding,” said the clinic’s Incident Commander Teri Watkins. “Cedar Point Health stepped up and helped us locate additional vaccine. Montrose Community Foundation, the Helping Hands Fund, San Juan Healthcare Foundation, Drug Testing Inc., and the Town of Olathe also all contributed financially to bring this important healthcare service to our community.”

This year's flu season is predicted to once again start earlier than normal and last well through March. Dr. Mary Vader with Pediatric Associates and the Helping Hands Fund, urges community members to participate as she notes, “Please get your flu shot and protect not only yourself and your family, but the entire community as well. This is a great resource and we are excited to team up with our partners to bring this service to our area.”     

Montrose County, Montrose Memorial Hospital, and the City of Montrose each contributed funding to help supply additional vaccinations and other necessary supplies. Volunteers and staff from nearly all organizations will be present at the event. 

"This is a true community event," said Commissioner Sue Hansen.  "From the organization to the funding, everything is done by our local community, and that’s quite a feat. This event is a model for success at the state level, and that’s something to celebrate. I look forward to volunteering again this year.”

At the 2018 vaccination clinic, over 1,200 free flu shots were provided across three locations, and organizers are aiming for over 1,500 flu shots this year. The shot provided is a quadrivalent flu shot that is administered to children 4 years and up.  Pediatric Associates also donated pediatric flu shots for children six months to 4 years.  High-dose senior shots are not available at the drive-through clinic, but they are available at the Montrose Public Health Clinic at 970-252-7079 by appointment only.

At the Montrose County Event Center, participants have the option to stay in their vehicles and will be processed through several lanes.  All participants must sign a vaccination consent form. The event is designed with the participant in mind—cars with more than four people in the vehicle or those requiring additional time will be directed to the walk-up parking in front of the Event Center. Vehicles attending the Montrose County Event Center location must enter through the right-hand turn lane off the San Juan Bypass.  Volunteers include staff from Montrose County, the City of Montrose, Montrose Memorial Hospital, Montrose Fire Protection District, River Valley Family Health Center, Basin Clinic, Montrose County Sheriff's Office, Pediatric Associates, Montrose Police Department, and the Montrose County Sheriff's Posse.  

Vaccinations are available for individuals six months and older at the Montrose County Event Center location and 4 years old and up at the other locations.  Shot are available while supplies last. For more information please visit www.montrosefluclinic.com. 

 *FOR MEDIA ATTENDING THE EVENT: PLEASE CONTACT KATIE YERGENSEN FOR TRAFFIC ACCOMMODATIONS. 

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Katie Yergensen
Montrose County
Media Relations Manager
317 S. 2nd Street
Montrose, CO 81401
Office 970-252-4505 Cell 970-964-8701