KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Thursday, Family Health Center (FHC) in Kalamazoo will be offering both COVID-19 testing and flu vaccinations at a drive-through clinic event.
According to officials, COVID-19 testing has been added due to a recent spike in cases. It will be held on Thursday, November 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kalamazoo Central High School, which is located at 2432 North Drake Road.
Anyone wanting to be tested for COVID-19 must call FHC’s testing hotline, (269)-488-0804, ahead of time. Callers will get a telehealth interview by a FHC provider and receive an appointment time to go to the drive-through testing site.
This is the same procedure FHC used for drive-through testing last spring.
Denise Crawford, President and CEO of Family Health Center, said reducing the number of flu cases in Kalamazoo County will lessen the load on area hospitals already struggling to keep up with cases of COVID-19.
“FHC is leading this effort at the request of the Governor’s Office and the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services to get the largest number of Kalamazoo County residents vaccinated against the flu,” Crawford said in a statement. “Flu and COVID-19 symptoms are very similar, and both send people to the hospital. By preventing flu cases through vaccination, we can make sure critical care is accessible for those with COVID-19 and other serious illnesses.”
Those who wish to receive a flu vaccine can show up with no appointment necessary. Patients need to bring their health insurance card and personal identification if they wish to bill their insurance, or they can pay the $20 fee directly.
Crawford said FHC’s experience in running drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites last spring has fully equipped the team to manage flu clinics onsite and throughout the community.
“We’re proud to do our part to protect residents against flu while supporting our hospitals as they deal with the ongoing pandemic,” Crawford said.
More information about FHC COVID-19 testing can be found at this link, while more information on FHC flu vaccinations can be found here.
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