ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

September has arrived, and soon too will fall.

That means cooler weather is on the way, and while that may be a welcome presence for many, unfortunately, that also means the chances for colds and flu will be on the rise.

Oct. 3, Liberal’s Walgreens store will offer everyone a chance to get a free vaccine at Southwest Medical Center’s annual Community Health Fair.

Walgreens Pharmacy Manager Brandon Rooney said though the shots are free, for those with insurance, their provider will be billed.

“When I say free, most insurances will cover it for no charge,” he said. “However, if you are uninsured, we do offer a free flu voucher for you. The majority of the patients that come through will be able to get a free flu shot from us.”

Rooney said the effectiveness of each year’s vaccine is difficult to gauge because flu strains change every year as well.

“However, whether the vaccine matches perfectly or it doesn’t, you’re still going to get some protection by getting the vaccine,” he said.

Thus, Rooney still recommends getting a flu shot.

“It helps prevent transmission of the flu virus,” he said. “It helps lower the severity of the disease if you were to come in contact with flu and still acquire. It’s definitely an important thing to get.”

Rooney said this is Walgreens fourth year taking part in the Community Health Fair, and he estimated about 150 flu vaccines are given out each year at the event. He said Walgreens uses  standard trivalent vaccines, which has three different strains, as well as a high dose vaccine for those 65 and older.

“As we age, our immune system gets a little weaker, and you need a higher dose to get the same response you would typically with standard vaccine,” he said.

Rooney said there is still a chance those who get a flu shot can get sick, but he said getting immunized will still help prevent the spread of the illness to other people.

“Even if you’re a healthy adult, you might not have some of the severe risk like hospitalization or bacterial pneumonia,” he said. “You still might come down with the flu and have some symptoms, maybe miss a few days of work, but you’re protecting others who may not be able to get the vaccine in time from having those severe symptoms of the flu.”

Though flu season is still a few weeks away, Rooney said the Walgreens store is already administering flu shots for this year.

“You can go online and make an appointment whenever you’re able to,” he said. “Typically, the best time of the year to get them is going to be September and October, so the health fair lines up perfectly with the fair. However, we do offer as soon as now if there’s anyone out there who feels they won’t be able to come back in the September/ October timeframe, they may want to go ahead and get protected now. We do offer that.”

With cold and flu season starting around the same time as the health fair, Rooney said that makes it the most convenient time for patients to get a shot.

“We make it really convenient if you come to my store as well, but we’re specifically only giving flu shots at the clinic, so we can take care of you really quick,” he said. “It’s a really quick process. A free flu shot is the best way to prevent getting the flu, so I definitely recommend it.”

Rooney added the timing of the health fair could not be more perfect for those wanting immunizations.

“Peak flu season is December through February,” he said. “It takes about two weeks for you to get the protection from the vaccine, so October’s like a really great time right before the flu season ramps up to get it. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic now in the past, immunizations have returned somewhat back to normal, but with flu strains changing ever year, the active strains will keep changing every year. However, Rooney said flu vaccine technology remains similar to what it had been in the past.

“I will say there is a new flu vaccine that’s using the COVID technology, which is called the mRNA vaccine, but we don’t actually offer that,” he said. “We’ll have just the normal standard one, but that could be coming in the next flu season for Walgreens.”

Rooney, though, said he was unsure if these newer vaccines will be available to competitors.

“We’ve always had the standard flu shot we give every year, but the new one is very new, so there’s a possibility some competitors could get it, but nothing for Walgreens yet,” he said.

In addition to Walgreens and local medical providers, vaccines are available at Liberal’s Dillons and Walmart stores, as well as El Kan Pharmacy.

At the health fair, Rooney said immunizations are available for ages 3 and older, and those 65 and older will receive the higher dose vaccine to make sure they are protected properly.

Those getting vaccines at the health fair are asked to bring their insurance.

“We don’t necessarily need an ID, but they will be filling out paperwork prior to the immunizations,” Rooney said. “They can just be prepared to answer typical medical questions like current medical history, allergies to any vaccines, side effects to the vaccines, but their insurance would be really helpful as well.”