Dorn VA encourages veterans to get flu shots with series of clinics throughout October

The first of these will take place Thursday at the Dorn VA in Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and with flu season just around the corner, one group at a greater risk of getting sick are older veterans.

To help with this, the Columbia VA Health Care System is hosting a series of drive-thru flu shot clinics to protect vets against the flu.

According to the US Census Bureau, there are more than 400,000 veterans living in South Carolina, with a quarter of those over the age of 65.

In order to help fight off a potentially harmful illness, all that some veterans need to do is drive to the Dorn VA, and roll down their windows to get the best protection against the flu.

“By getting a flu shot, our veterans are decreasing their chances of becoming sick, and even being hospitalized,” said Cynthia Dibble, a Program Manager with the Columbia VA Health Care System.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is another reason the VA is urging veterans to get a shot.

“You can actually have the flu and COVID-19 simultaneously, and we take that very seriously, so the more that we can cause less problems, fewer symptoms, fewer complications the better,” said David Omura, the Director of the Columbia VA Health Care System.

Most of the veterans who pulled up to the first of four drive-thru flu shot clinics were over the age of 65.

“It was just like when I was a little boy, I don’t like to look at them, but I didn’t even feel a thing when she put the needle in, I didn’t feel anything,” said Harold Burrell, a Navy veteran.

Some veterans told ABC Columbia they love the convenience of getting help without leaving their car.

“Over the years that I’ve been coming here, there’s a bunch of lines backed up, and it took too much time. This is very easy and convenient. I think they should do this every year,” said Theodore Smith, an Army veteran.

The remaining clinics will take place on these dates:

• Saturday, October 17 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Wednesday, October 21 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Tuesday, October 27 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

The VA Clinics in Anderson, Sumter, Orangeburg, Spartanburg, Greenville, and Florence will also have drive-thru clinics on these dates:

• Monday, October 12 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Wednesday, November 11 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

If you’re a veteran and looking to get a flu shot, here are the instructions:

• Wear a face mask.
• Have your VA ID card ready to show.
• Dress in a short sleeved shirt, or one that can be easily pulled up to get to your shoulder.
• Stay in your vehicle. Our team will bring the paperwork to you, and then the flu shot will be administered through your open window and/or door.

The Columbia flu shot clinics will take place in Parking Lot #11 at the Dorn VA (6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia)