Frederick National Laboratory Director Ethan Dmitrovsky, M.D., receives his flu vaccine from OHS nurse Delia Croghan.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest health topic of the year so far, but the 2020–2021 flu season is quickly approaching. With COVID-19 putting a strain on public health systems, it’s important to get a flu vaccine to protect yourself and your community from further illness and strain this winter.
Occupational Health Services (OHS) is offering a flu vaccine for NCI at Frederick and Frederick National Laboratory staff—including subcontractors and construction subcontractors—for the 2020–2021 season. Shots are available at a drive-thru clinic from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (weather permitting), rotating between two locations.
Locations of Drive-Thru Flu Clinics:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Advanced Technology Research Facility | Building 426 | Advanced Technology Research Facility | Building 426 | Advanced Technology Research Facility* |
* Exception: On Friday, September 18, the drive-thru flu clinic will be offered at the Vaccine Pilot Plant.
OHS emailed every employee an informed consent form (PDF) to print, complete, and bring to the clinic for their shot. Attendees must wear a face covering and observe social distancing. There will be limited capacity for walk-up visitors, but OHS prefers that attendees use the drive-thru.
Why Get Vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, will both circulate this fall and winter. Protection against influenza is vital to decrease the risk of a possible coinfection.
Due to COVID-19, the CDC is collaborating with health care providers and health departments to develop strategies for vaccinating people against the flu without increasing their risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Some locations that usually provide flu vaccines may not do so this upcoming season because of the challenge of maintaining social distancing. OHS is working diligently to comply with CDC recommendations for avoiding SARS-CoV-2 exposure during flu vaccine administration.
The CDC recommends that all people six months of age and older receive an influenza vaccine every year. September and October are the optimal months to get vaccinated, but if you miss the window during these months, you should be vaccinated as soon as possible thereafter.
Generally, flu vaccines protect against three to four viruses, and the composition is reviewed annually to match the circulating strains. For 2020–2021, the CDC recommends the Flucelvax Quadrivalent cell- or recombinant-based vaccines that aim to protect against the following strains: A/Hawaii/70/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, A/Hong Kong/45/2019 (H3N2)-like virus, B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (Yamagata lineage) virus.
If you’re ineligible to receive this vaccine, there are several other options to choose from with the help of your health care provider.
Every season, the influenza vaccine prevents millions of flu-related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. In a year that’s already seen so much suffering, it’s up to all of us to do our part to protect our health and the health of those around us. Take care of yourself and stay healthy!