Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System

Fayetteville VAMC Director Elizabeth "Betty" Goolsby receives her seasonal flu vaccination from LPN Tunisia Outlaw to lend support to the annual flu campaign. Veterans enrolled for health care through the Fayetteville VAMC can now receive their annual flu shot in a variety of ways including walk in flu clinics or by request during primary care appointments.

Veterans enrolled for health care through the Fayetteville VAMC can now receive their annual flu shot in a variety of ways including walk in flu clinics, by request during primary care appointments and during a special flu kickoff event Sept. 30 & Oct. 1.

Walk in clinics at the main hospital began Sept. 21. Enrolled Veterans can receive shots, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 102, formerly the Credit Union.

The walk in clinic is in response to Veterans requests and is taking place in advance of the planned flu shot kickoff event, said Katrina Canady, nurse manager, Fayetteville VAMC Primary Care Clinic.

“Just in case deliveries of the first batch of vaccines are delayed, we schedule the kickoff flu event at the end of the month,” Canady said. “Fortunately, the supplies arrived on schedule. Some of our Veterans are asking when they can get the shots, so we will still hold the kickoff event but we started the walk in clinic right away.”

The kickoff event will be held in Room 102 Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will take place in a health information fair type atmosphere.

Flu shots are also available at the following FVAMC sites of care. Here’s a rundown on procedures at the outpatient clinics.

Village Green Annex (1991 Fordham Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304) -- flu shots by request during scheduled appointments or walk in Mon -Fri 8:30 to 12:30 & 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Breezewood Avenue Clinic (2919 Breezewood Ave., Suite 101, Fayetteville, NC 28304) -- flu shots by request during scheduled appointments or walk in Mon -Fri 8:30 to 12:30 & 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Brunswick County Outreach Clinic (20 Medical Campus Dr., Ste. 106, Supply, NC 28462) -- flu shots by request during scheduled appointments or walk-in Monday-Friday 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Goldsboro CBOC (2610 Hospital Road, Goldsboro, NC 27534) -- walk-in Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hamlet CBOC (100 Jefferson Street, Hamlet, NC 28345) -- flu shots by request during scheduled appointments or walk-in Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Jacksonville CBOC (241 Freedom Way, Suite 1, Midway Park, NC 28544) -- flu shots by request during scheduled appointments or walk in Mon - Fri 8 a.m. to 10 a.m..
Jacksonville CBOC Brynn Marr (306 Brynn Marr Road, Jacksonville NC 28546) -- flu shots by request during scheduled appointments or walk in Mon - Fri 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Robeson County CBOC (139 Three Hunts Drive Pembroke, NC 28372) -- flu shots by request during scheduled appointments or walk-in Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Wilmington Health Care Center (1705 Gardner Road, Wilmington, NC 28405) -- Veterans can receive flu shots request during scheduled appointments or starting Oct. 1 walk-in Mon 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Tues 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Wed 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thurs 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fri 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

   Veterans must show VA ID card to receive immunization. Veterans should check with their primary care teams to verify the most current information as dates, times and availability are subject to change.

Flu shots are also available for staff members through Occupational Health Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.

The best way to avoid getting the flu is to get a flu vaccination. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. The viruses used aren't alive and can't cause the disease.

In fact most people who get the flu shot have no serious side effects or allergic reactions to it at all. Some may have redness or swelling on their arm where the shot was given. A very small number of people may get minor body aches, a headache, or a low-grade fever that lasts only a day or two. But studies have shown that getting the flu shot can reduce illness and death related to the flu.

All people age 6 months and older who want to reduce their risk of getting sick should get a flu shot. People more at risk of illness from the flu include:
* People with other health problems, like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease
* People older than 50
* Women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant
* People caring for an infant or a family member with health problems
* Health care personnel

To learn more about the flu, check out the CD publication “Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine” at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm