Need a flu shot? Health District hosting drive-through vaccine events

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - Need a flu shot? The Washoe County Health District is hosting two drive-through flu vaccine events Oct. 2 and Oct. 9.

The free events will be held at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center at 1350 N. Wells Avenue from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Anyone 6 months and older can get a flu vaccine while in the same vehicle. The COVID-19 vaccine will also be available and can be administered before or after the flu vaccine.

Print, fill out and bring screening questionnaire in advance.

A typical flu season is October through May, with high flu activity occurring between December and February. Washoe County Health District’s Flu Surveillance Program tracks flu data:

During the 2019-20 flu season, 7 flu-associated deaths were reported in Washoe County
- During the 2020-2021 flu season, 1 flu-associated death was reported due to increase mask wearing, social distancing and remote school and work
According to the State of Nevada’s flu vaccine dashboard, 180,925 Washoe County residents received the flu shot during the 2020-21 flu season (37% of Washoe County residents)
- That was the second highest percentage of all Nevada counties (Carson City was first with 50.6%)
Nevada and Ohio had the highest level of influenza-like-illness (ILI) reported in the nation during the 2020-21 flu season, according to the CDC
- Nevada had the lowest percentage of the population vaccinated for flu in the nation in 2019-20 at 44.4%
All flu vaccines in the United States are “quadrivalent” vaccines, which means they protect against four different flu viruses: influenza A(H1N1) virus, influenza A(H3N2), and two influenza B viruses
High dose senior flu shots (for those 65+) are not available at these Saturday events but seniors are encouraged to contact pharmacies about availability. Seniors who can’t get the high-dose shot should consider getting the regular flu shot as it still offers important protection from flu