Immunizations Without Leaving the Car: MetroHealth Offering Drive-Up Vaccinations for Kids and Adults

Cleveland – MetroHealth is offering a new service to its patients to make it easier for families to keep up to date on childhood immunizations, recommended vaccines for adults and the annual flu vaccine for everyone.

Beginning Monday, September 21, MetroHealth’s drive-up vaccine service will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at the MetroHealth Middleburg Heights November Family Health Center. With an appointment, adults and children ages 10 and older will be able to get immunizations without having to leave their vehicle.

This is the region’s first hospital-based drive-up vaccine service.

“More than ever, everyone in our community who can be immunized, should be,” said MetroHealth President and CEO Akram Boutros, MD “There are barriers that prevent some people from receiving this life-saving and community-saving care. At MetroHealth, we are serving patients where they are in the most convenient and safe way. In this case, we are delivering immunizations without patients having to leave the car.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that families keep appointments with their pediatricians during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Staying current on meningitis and tetanus vaccinations and booster shots is especially important for adolescents.

Individuals of all ages should remain on schedule with their immunizations so they can stay protected against serious diseases and viruses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, said MetroHealth pediatrician Susan A. Carlin, MD.

“If families are reluctant to come in for their regular appointments, they can view this as another safe option for them,” Dr. Carlin said of the drive-up service. “Immunizations are so important that I view this as a valuable strategy for families.”

Older adults and those with health conditions that make them more susceptible to pneumonia are advised to get their annual vaccination. Pneumonia is a potential complication that can develop in people with COVID-19.

Even with the availability of the new service, it’s still important for individuals, especially children, to see their doctor, she said. “Vaccinations are not a substitute for preventive visits and the complete physical exam and the opportunity to talk about other medical concerns.”

Health experts advise that people get their flu shot early, in September and October, before the number of cases begins to increase.

Regardless of whether or not someone is a MetroHealth patient, flu shots, immunizations and other services are available to walk-ins, without an appointment, at all 10 of MetroHealth’s pharmacies, including Main Campus, Old Brooklyn, Broadway, Buckeye, Parma, Cleveland Heights, Bedford, Middleburg Heights and Brecksville. A full list can be found here: https://www.metrohealth.org/pharmacy

Nearly 500,000 people were hospitalized with serious flu symptoms and more than 34,000 people died from the flu during the 2018-2019 season, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Available childhood and adult vaccines include flu, tetanus, HPV, meningitis, pneumonia and shingles.

For additional information about the drive-thru vaccine service, go to https://www.metrohealth.org/get-vaccinated