Claremore Indian Hospital to host adult drive-through flu vaccine clinic Wednesday

Nov. 2—Claremore Indian Hospital will offer drive-through flu shots Wednesday for adults age 18 and older.

The hospital is hosting the clinic with the Rogers County Health Department in the hospital parking lot, 101 S. Moore Ave. in Claremore. Vaccines will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cindy Gillis, pharmacy director at Claremore Indian Hospital, said people must present a photo ID to receive a vaccine. The clinic is open to Native Americans and non-Native Americans alike.

Gillis said it's been a while since the hospital and health department have teamed up to provide vaccines. She said low flu vaccination rates in Rogers County prompted them to set up a clinic.

"It's not just in Oklahoma; it's everywhere," Gillis said. "Yeah, vaccination rates are down. We want to do everything we can."

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, about 40.6% of Oklahomans 6 months and older got vaccinated against the flu from October 2023 to August 2024. Only eight states had a lower flu shot rate.

Gillis said some balk at taking the vaccine because they fear it'll give them the flu. She said that's impossible.

"You may feel a little bit tired or a little bit flushed for a day or so after, but that's your body mounting its immune system response to the vaccine," Gillis said.

Though people who get vaccinated against the flu can still catch it, she said vaccinated people typically experience milder symptoms than unvaccinated people.

The vaccine also makes it more difficult for a person to transmit the flu to others.

Only adults can get vaccinated at the Wednesday clinic. Gillis said Claremore Indian Hospital prefers Native American children to get vaccinated through pediatric care because they may require other vaccines.

Chrissy Swift, health educator at the Rogers County Health Department, said the health department provides vaccines to kids under 18.

Kids under 18 can also receive the flu vaccine at:

— Bennett's Route 66 Pharmacy, 700 N. Lynn Riggs Blvd. in Claremore.

— CVS, 100 N. J.M. Davis Blvd. in Claremore.

— Walgreens, 601 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore.

These pharmacies offer the flu vaccine to adults only:

— J&J Pharmacy & Gifts, 998 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore.

— Trummel's Drug, 459 S. Elm St. in Oologah.