Drive-thru flu clinic set Thursday through Saturday

Following the great success of a drive-thru flu clinic last year, Northern Montana Health Care has scheduled another for this week.

The clinic is set for Thursday from 4-7 p.m., Friday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the main parking lot at the Third Floor entrance at Northern Montana Hospital.

Health providers urge people to get vaccinated for the flu, which is caused by a different virus than COVID-19 and requires a different vaccination, to avoid medical professionals and hospitals having to deal with a surge in the flu while battling the pandemic.

Hospitals are trying to keep the number of people coming through their doors as low as possible, using social distancing for the public’s sake.

Companies are working on making combination vaccines for both influenza and COVID-19, but none are complete as yet.

For the drive-thru clinic this week, people are asked to wear layers so their shoulders are easily accessible, wear a mask and bring a completed registration form for everyone in their vehicle.

Registration forms are available at http://www.nmhcare.org .