TOPEKA, Kan.-Beginning Sept. 21, 2020, at the VA Topeka campus and throughout October and early November at the VA Leavenworth campus, drive-through flu vaccines will be available for veterans enrolled in the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System. These same drive-through options will be available at several VA community-based clinics on select Saturdays in October.

Due to COVID-19, flu vaccines will not be available on a walk-in basis this year. However, veterans who have a scheduled appointment with their provider can receive a flu vaccine while in the clinic, or at any primary care, behavioral health or specialty clinic. Appointments will not be made for a flu vaccine alone. Flu vaccines will be available through March 31, 2021.

Anyone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or has been exposed within two weeks is asked to stay home as instructed and to not go for a flu vaccine to any location until released from quarantine. Anyone who thinks they might have COVID-19 should contact their VA team or local medical care provider. For a list of possible symptoms of COVID-19 and mandatory precautions for the drive-through clinics, call the Flu Information Hotline at 800-574-8387 ext. 53243.

Veterans should bring a VA identification card and wear clothing that allows staff to reach their upper arm.

Times and locations are as below:

Topeka VA Medical Center, 2200 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka, Kan., Building 3, outside entrance, circular drive (outside lab site).

• Saturday, Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 7, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Drive-through flu shots will also be available 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Topeka VA Medical Center, Sept. 21 through Dec. 31.

Lawrence CBOC: 4821 Quail Crest Place, Lawrence, KS 66047.

• Saturday, Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Unable to make it to the VA Medical Center? All veterans enrolled in VA care can also receive a free flu vaccine on a walk-in basis at any pharmacy or urgent care clinic in the VA’s Community Care Network. Simply tell staff that you are an eligible veteran who is enrolled in VA care and show your VA ID card. To locate a community site, see the VA’s online Facility Locator Tool: https://www.va.gov/find-locations/. Call first to confirm vaccine availability.

While recommendations vary, the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System recommends the high dose flu vaccine for persons age 85 and older this flu season. Recommendations and availability of the high dose vaccine in the VA’s Community Care Network may vary among locations.