Author: Jessica Gregory

UW Health begins their drive-thru influenza vaccine clinic in Middleton today. 

Offered until at least Oct. 30, 2020, the easy-access clinic is located at the UW Health Pharmacy Services building, 3185 Deming Way, Middleton WI 53562.

Flu shots at the site are available Monday-Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. 

Appointments can be scheduled using UW Health's MyChart and patients must provide their prescription benefits card when they arrive. No one under six years of age is authorized for a vaccination at the drive-thru clinic.

Receiving a flu shot is important every year, but UW Health in their news statement said it's especially important to be vaccinated early this year as a defense against flu illnesses before they're most heavily spread in the winter months. It also conserves hospital and healthcare resources as they treat COVID-19 inpatients.

It takes approximately two weeks after receiving the vaccine for the body to build it's army of antibodies that are effective in fighting off influenza. The public must be vaccinated yearly.

Influenza is spread through droplets expelled when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks.

UW Health differentiates COVID-19 and influenza symptoms on their website and reminds patients that the flu can cause sudden effects while COVID-19 symptoms can lay dormant for up to two weeks after exposure.

University Health Services distributes flu vaccines for UW-Madison students and employees. Access their informational guide here.