Am contacting pharmacies, urgent care offices, medical centers, Doctors offices and urging them to offer flu shots outside
WANTED: PHARMACIES, DOCTORS OFFICES, MEDICAL CENTERS, URGENT CARE FACILITIES OFFERING OUTSIDE FLU SHOTS SO PEOPLE DON’T HAVE TO GO INDOORS
WOULD INCREASE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WILLING TO TAKE FLU SHOTS
I am reaching out to pharmacies, urgent care, hospitals and medical clinics in the area and am encouraging them to offer flu shots through the end of October outside. Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic creates a situation that you don’t want lots and lots of people showing up into the indoor spaces for flu shots or to deal with normal urgent care/medical clinic issues. With so many parking lots in the area, it would seem to be pretty easy to set up some tents and move some of this human traffic flow outside from those offices. Other centers might want to arrange for people to call a number and someone would come out and give them the flu shot while they are in the car.
Some residents have contacted me expressing concern about going inside to get the flu shot -and potentially being exposed to COVID-19. If you know of any area facility giving flu shots outdoors please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. I will publicize locations and share with residents.
Speak to your doctor, pharmacist and also encourage them to provide this community service. Preventing the flu is important. But it is even more important this year when so many of our health care resources will be used to treat patients with COVID-19. IF you reduce the chances of catching the flu and needing to seek medical attention for it, you are helping our medical professionals conserve their limited resources. Another advantage: If you get sick with the flu and have to go to the doctor, your chances of being around someone with COVID 19 is much higher. The best time to get a flu shot is in September or October - at the beginning of the flu season.
Paul Feiner
Greenburgh Town Supervisor