Super Shot campaign keeping influenza vaccination rates up in Allen County

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Since the COVID-19 pandemic, immunization rates have decreased on a nation-wide scale.

As cold and flu season approaches during this time of year, officials recommend for people to protect themselves and those around them with the annual influenza vaccination.

Local entities in Allen County are dedicated to ensuring that residents have access to the flu shot to decrease the impact of illness.

Super Shot leaders of Fort Wayne said approximately 40% of people in Allen County are receiving their flu shots, which is low in comparison to years prior.

The Allen County Public Library and Super Shot have partnered together since 2021. This year, they are working together to make the flu vaccination more accessible to the public with a series of clinics hosted during October.

The vaccines are available at all nine of their library branches for patients 6 months and older. This is the first year that the vaccination clinics are hosted at each library site, which leaders said is effective for keeping the community safe and providing efficient ways for people to receive their seasonal shot.

Super Shot partners with Allen County Public Health to hold the community accountable for bringing flu vaccination records up from previous years with their Healthy Hoosiers campaign. The campaign is a community flu challenge throughout the Allen County to record the number of people across the county that are receiving their shot this season. Each week, Super Shot and Allen County Public Health receive the totals to add to their goal of vaccinating 150,000 patrons with the flu shot.

Those receiving their annual flu shot need a form of identification and their health insurance card. If anyone receiving their shot does not have health insurance, they will have to pay a $15 vaccination fee for each shot, but officials said they will not turn anyone away for an inability to pay.

Super Shot does not require any scheduled appointments for vaccinations. Call their office number at 260-424-SHOT (7468) or head to their website for an appointment or more information. Walk-ins are also welcome.