Flu Shots Given at Drive-Through

You didn’t even have to get out of your car.

Comfortably settled in the front seat, you only had to fill out a quick medical history form, roll up a sleeve and extend an arm out to the nurse and--faster than you can change gears--you were immunized against the flu.

“We thought the drive-through vaccination was a good idea because some seniors can’t get out of their cars,” said nurse Gail Brown, who was administering free flu shots Saturday in the crowded parking lot at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.

Toni Cooke, Huntington’s community outreach director, said the 18 volunteers had planned to circle the parking lot on in-line skates, needles in hand, but threw out the idea when the forecast called for temperatures in the 90s. “We realized that might be hard to do out here in this hot sun,” she said.

William Cole, 70, and his 69-year-old wife, Shirley, said driving up to get a flu shot is just the latest ‘90s twist in a city that allows quick auto access to nearly everything.

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“I think the drive-through thing is definitely a sign of the times,” he said. “But it looks like they need twice the volunteers they have to handle all these people.”

“Quick” was a relative term Saturday; some people sat in their cars for an hour to get the free vaccination. In 90 minutes Saturday, nurses administered about 1,000 shots to adults.

Hoping to cut down on the number of flu victims seeking treatment, Los Angeles-area hospitals like Huntington Memorial are offering free flu vaccinations.

Early prevention makes a world of difference, say hospital representatives.

“We are just trying to tell people to take better care of themselves, which will keep them out of the hospital,” Cooke said. “If they get their shots now, they can build up their immunity before the big flu season starts in November.”

Although most folks used the drive-through lane, others braved the sun and stood in a short line to get their arms pricked with a needle.

“That wasn’t so bad,” said 73-year-old Paul Massier after getting his shot. Massier and his wife, Dorothy, drove from their home in Arcadia for the free shots.

Health care experts say there is a simple and effective way to avoid the flu’s coughs, clogged-up noses and body aches: Get a flu shot early.

Perhaps indicating how much prevention has become a national issue, Huntington volunteers said they administered only 200 flu vaccinations at the same event last year, compared to the 1,000 takers this year.

Rachel and Hector Ornelas had brought their two children, 5-year-old Danielle and 16-month-old Hector, to their pediatrician at the hospital for checkups. Then the Alhambra couple, who are both teachers, decided that it would be wise to take a few minutes to get themselves immunized.

“I think some people say they are too busy to do it now,” said Rachel Ornelas, a fifth-grade teacher. “But they will pay for it later. I’m already starting to see it in the kids in my classes.”

Brown said the adults most susceptible to the flu are “people like police officers and day-care workers who [are exposed] to the public often.”

Although people with AIDS, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses are at greater risk, Brown said, hospitals also urge senior citizens, who are more susceptible to illness, to get the shots.

Harry Hardy of Pasadena said more people should take advantage of the flu shots, not only because they are free, but to avoid being bedridden and angry about it.

“I can’t afford to get the flu,” said the 46-year-old, who paid $30 for his shot last year. “And the flu is something that knocks a lot of people on their ass.”