Starting September 9, get a flu shot without leaving your car

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on the American healthcare system, doctors and public health experts are encouraging people to get a flu shot this year. Thanks to a new drive-through program at Safeway, individuals can get a flu shot without getting out of their car.

Beginning Wednesday, September 9, multiple Safeway locations in the Denver metro area are offering drive-through flu shots. The vaccinations are available at the following locations every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. until September 30:

  • Safeway - 6460 E. Yale, Denver CO 80222
  • Safeway - 3800 W. 44th Avenue, Denver CO 80211
  • Safeway - 2150 S. Downing, Denver CO 80210
  • Safeway - 9229 E. Lincoln Avenue, Lone Tree CO 80124

The drive-through vaccination availability arrives at a time when the CDC says getting a flu shot is more important than ever. Not only will people be able to prevent the spread of the flu, the agency says, but they will also reduce the burden on the country’s healthcare system that is still overwhelmed from treating COVID-19 patients.

According to data analysis from NPR, last year’s flu was responsible for as many as 18 million visits to healthcare providers in the United States, and over 60,000 deaths.

Public health officials are concerned that less people will receive a flu shot since vaccinations are often offered at places of work. Since many people are still working from home, that could lead to less overall vaccinations.

"If you usually get the shot at the office but you're working from home, for example, you'll need a new plan,” Lori Uscher-Pines told NPR. Usher-Pines is a senior policy researcher with the Rand Corp.

According to the Washington Post, the CDC has purchased 7 million doses of the flu vaccine for adults to be distributed to states. That is about 14 times more than usual.

Public health officials are encouraging anyone over six months old to get a flu shot this year. Data from the CDC shows that more than half of adults in the United States did not get a flu shot last year.

In order to find out the closest flu shot provider near you, check out the CDC’s VaccineFinder.