Drive-thru flu clinic opens for North Texas Veterans

U.S. Army Veteran Steven Gurchik received his flu shot and didn’t need to leave his vehicle. Gurchik went through the drive-thru flu clinic that opened Sept. 8 for Veterans at Dallas VA Medical Center.

VA North Texas patients are able to talk to a nurse, fill out the proper paperwork and get their immunization right from their vehicle.

Army Veteran Steven Gurchik talks with Veronica Nelson, LVN, before receiving his flu shot.

“I think the drive-thru flu clinic is great,” said Gurchik. “I like that the clinic is out in the open and it was really quick.”

VA North Texas Health Care System is making it easy for Veterans and employees to receive their immunization with this clinic, and it’s not just for people in their cars.

The clinic has drive-up stations (pictured above) and one walk-up station in a parking garage at Dallas VA Medical Center. It is open five days a week.   

First day – 123 flu vaccines

“Even though we are calling it a drive-thru flu clinic, we are accepting walk-ups because we haven’t opened our indoor public flu clinic yet,” said Monique Washington, Army Veteran and co-chair for the committee at VA North Texas Health Care System. “Yesterday was our first day and we did 123 vaccines.”

The committee set up drive-up stations and one walk-up station in a parking garage at Dallas VA Medical Center and will be open Monday through Friday to offer the vaccination.

Everybody pitched in

“We have worked closely with everyone in the hospital, which has been awesome,” said Washington. “EMS brought us trash cans and tables. IT brought us internet connectivity. VA police set up traffic cones, and acute care services brought volunteers.”

Six other VA North Texas locations also are holding drive-thru flu clinics. Eligible enrolled Veterans can also receive their seasonal flu shots at more than 60,000 Community Care Network (CCN) retail pharmacies and urgent care locations.

“We are really encouraging people to get their flu vaccine… now,” said Washington.

Jennifer Roy is a public affairs specialist with the VA North Texas Health Care System.