TULSA, OK – The Tulsa Health Department will host a flu shot clinic on Tuesday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., or while supplies last, at Oral Robert University’s Mabee Center, 7777 S Lewis Ave. The pop-up clinic will be located in the south lobby and is part of a statewide, full-scale emergency preparedness exercise. Flu vaccines will be available at no cost at this clinic.
In Tulsa County, local organizations including the Tulsa Health Department, Tulsa-area hospitals, law enforcement and other response agencies work with emergency management to ensure community disaster preparedness and response plans are in place. As the agency charged with addressing public health concerns within Tulsa County, Tulsa Health Department must be prepared to take immediate steps to ensure public safety from diseases and other health threats. The plans are trained, exercised and evaluated to ensure they are operational.
“Oral Robert University is one of our point of dispensing (POD) sites in Tulsa County in the event of an emergency,” said Alicia Etgen, THD emergency preparedness and response manager. “This full-scale exercise will give Tulsa Health Department personnel and Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps volunteers an opportunity to test and improve the plans we have in place. We chose this site as the exercise location due to the large, diverse population it serves. For those unable to make it during traditional clinic business hours, we are offering extended hours while supplies last.”
The flu shot clinic will also kick off the annual “Don’t Bug Me” flu awareness and prevention campaign, a partnership between Tulsa Health Department and Hillcrest Medical Center. Louiee Achooee, the campaign mascot, will be on site for photos and fist-bumps. Last year’s Don’t Bug Me Flu POD Full Scale Exercise was a success, and Tulsa Health Department staff administrated 604 flu vaccines at no cost to the general public at OSU-Tulsa.
Health officials encourage everyone age six months and older to receive a flu shot. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from flu – including older people, very young children, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.
“Continued incidence of flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths in Tulsa County during the last flu season underscores the importance of prevention measures like receiving the flu shot,” said Priscilla Haynes, Tulsa Health Department division chief of preventive health. “The flu vaccine can keep you from getting the flu, make the illness less severe if you do get it and keep you from spreading the virus to family and other people.”
In addition to getting your flu shot, the Tulsa Health Department reminds you to follow these prevention tips:
• Wash hands frequently using soap and water, or alcohol-based products such as hand gels when hands are not visibly soiled.
• Make “respiratory hygiene” a habit, including use of tissues to cover coughs and sneezes, then disposing of them and washing hands at once. When tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve, never your hands.
• Stay home from work, school, and other public places if you are ill. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
The flu vaccine will be available beginning September 30 on a walk-in basis Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the following Tulsa Health Department locations.
• James O. Goodwin Health Center | 5051 S. 129 E. Ave., Tulsa, OK
• Central Regional Health Center | 315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK
• North Regional Health and Wellness Center | 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tulsa OK
The flu vaccine is also offered at these locations, please call 918-582-9355 for clinic dates and times:
• Collinsville Community Health Center | 1201 W. Center, Collinsville, OK
• Sand Springs Health Center | 306 E. Broadway, Sand Springs, OK
Children through age 18 years are eligible to receive vaccines at no charge through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program if any of the following apply: they are uninsured, Native American Indian, Native Alaskan, or their insurance policy does not cover vaccines.
The Tulsa Health Department currently accepts Cigna, Community Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Choice, Medicare and SoonerCare Medicaid for immunizations. Coverage can vary among different insurance plans. Please bring your insurance card and photo ID with you. It is always advisable to check with your insurance provider for coverage specifics before receiving immunizations, as you may be responsible for charges that are not covered by your insurance policy.
Regular injectable flu vaccine and flu mist will cost $25. High dose flu vaccine will cost $63. The cost for regular flu vaccine may be waived for uninsured adults who qualify. For more information please call 918-582-9355. For information about all other Oklahoma counties’ flu programs, visit Oklahoma State Department of Health’s website.
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Vaccination Form
You can save time by downloading and completing a flu vaccination form and bringing it with you when you visit the clinic:
Flu Vaccination Form English
Flu Vaccination Form Spanish
