The Springfield Flu Immunization Coalition is organizing a “rolling flu clinic” that will administer flu vaccine to employees of restaurants and hotels along Glenstone Avenue – one of the most highly concentrated commercial corridors in the city – on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 23 and 24.

Although these mobile clinics will not be open to the public, the Coalition believes this effort will make a difference in lessening the effects of seasonal flu at large. Media is invited to cover the rolling clinics. Those interested are asked to contact Mike Brothers with the health department to find out more details about the route and times.

The Flu Coalition is a longstanding partnership that includes CoxHealth, the Greene County Medical Society, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Mercy Springfield, Ozarks Community Hospital and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, as well the nursing colleges associated with both Cox and Mercy.

Coalition organizers have worked with businesses along this corridor to arrange stops for business that want to participate. Using cars as well as a larger mobile unit from Jordan Valley Health Center, the clinics will begin at about 9 a.m. Tuesday at Super 8, 3022 N. Kentwood Ave. (north of I-44) and finish up in the 4 p.m. hour at Schlotzky's Deli, 1316 N. Glenstone Ave. The route and schedule will be similar on Wednesday at different locations.

“This is something completely new for us,” said Flu Coalition Chair James T. Rogers, M.D., a doctor of internal medicine with Mercy Springfield. “We’re planning to administer shots to employees at more than 20 locations. We believe this will add yet another brick in the wall of protection from the flu for the population at large. We’re trying to make it easy for these busy workers by coming to them and offering a shot at no charge.”

The Flu Coalition’s public flu clinics begin on Thursday, Oct. 21. The five clinics continue through mid-November and are open to adults without health insurance no charge. Children, pregnant women and those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old can receive flu vaccine at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department’s Westside Public Health Center by appointment or during walk-in clinics on Tuesday mornings.

Complete information about all of these flu vaccination opportunities can be found online at: http://health.springfieldmo.gov/flu or by the flu hotline (417) 874-1228.

Vaccination is the best way to protect you and your family from the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive a flu shot. Flu vaccine is available throughout the community, in both healthcare and in retail settings for adults. Most healthcare providers offer flu shots to patients and retail locations provide flu shots for adults making it easy and convenient to get vaccinated. Many retail locations offer billing services for Medicare and Medicaid on behalf of the patient. Contact individual retailers for more information on flu shot availability and billing services.