The new respiratory season is officially underway, and the Jefferson County Health Department will hold a drive-thru flu vaccine clinic on Friday.
The respiratory season is the time of year when cases of RSV, flu and COVID are on the rise. The season began Sept. 29 and ends in May, and the peak months are typically December and January, said Brianne Zwiener, the department’s communications manager.
The flu vaccine clinic will be held from 3-7 p.m. at the new Hillsboro office, 1515 Peach Tree Plaza Court. The event is open to the public, and both insured and uninsured are welcome.
Zwiener said the Health Department’s goal is to make flu protection accessible and hassle-free for all. She said the drive-thru clinic gives residents a convenient way to receive flu shots without leaving their vehicles.
“Public health is for everyone,” Zwiener said. “Our goal with this clinic is to reduce barriers and make it easier for people to protect themselves and their families this flu season.”
She said participants are encouraged to pre-register for faster service. To register, go to jeffcohealth.jotform.com/252653704848162.
“Patients should bring a photo ID and insurance card if available,” she said. “The drive-thru has a low clearance of 12 foot 6 inches, so oversized vehicles should plan accordingly.”
Zwiener said the department typically holds flu vaccine clinics at other locations, such as schools, events and businesses.
“Since the building is new and we have installed the drive-thru clinical section, we are excited to host our first on-site, drive-thru flu vaccine clinic,” she said.
The drive-thru clinic is being held in partnership with Washington University’s Health Communication Research Laboratory, which will provide volunteers to help with traffic, registration and evaluation.
She said funding options are available for the uninsured.
“We use state-funded 317 vaccination for uninsured patients, so the only patient cost is the $10 administration fee,” Zwiener said. “If cost is a barrier for individuals, we have grant funding from the Jefferson Foundation available to cover the cost.”
Zwiener said the Health Department started scheduling flu shots on Sept. 22. Those who can’t make the clinic may call the Health Department at 636-797-3737 to schedule an appointment or contact their doctor or pharmacy.
According to the CDC, getting a yearly flu vaccination is the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications. The CDC guidance states everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should get a flu shot every season.
COVID
COVID vaccines won’t be as readily available as in past years, at least not to people younger than 65.
Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty received FDA COVID vaccine approval only for adults 65 and older and people 5-64 at increased risk for severe COVID.
Moderna received FDA approval for Spikevax for those 6 months to 64 years old at high risk for severe COVID, and mNexspike was approved for those 12-64 at high risk for severe COVID. The Moderna vaccines were also approved for anyone 65 and older.
According to the American Pharmacists Association, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted against requiring prescriptions for this year’s COVID vaccine. However, some pharmacies like Pharmax in Festus have been requiring a prescription from a physician for high-risk patients under the age of 65 while waiting on further guidance from the state. Other pharmacies, like Walgreens, have not been requiring prescriptions. Policies vary from state to state and by individual store.
Dr. Praveen Datar, a Mercy pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Mercy Jefferson Hospital in Crystal City, said healthy people younger than 65 don’t need an updated vaccine this year. He recommends the COVID vaccine for anyone 65 years old and older, and anyone 12 to 64 who is immunocompromised or has diseases like COPD, putting them at high risk. He recommends patients talk to their primary care physician before getting a vaccine.
Zwiener said the COVID vaccine guidance has been a bit confusing while the Health Department waited for the CDC director to sign off on ACIP’s guidance.
“CDC released a statement (Monday) that supports COVID-19 vaccines in the 2025-2026 season for adults age 65+ and individuals with one or more risk factors,” Zwiener said. “They support individual-based decision making with physicians, nurses and pharmacists. ACIP has provided recommendations for adults aged 65+ and other individuals with at least one risk factor.”
Individuals under 65 will answer eligibility screening questions per CDC guidance when scheduling vaccination appointments.
Zwiener said the department currently has FDA guidance for the Comirnaty vaccine for those 12 and older. She said the department has the Pfizer vaccine and is scheduling shots at its Hillsboro and Arnold locations.
She said the department does not have state-supplied and federally funded COVID vaccines for adults or children at this time.
RSV
Datar said the guidance for the RSV vaccine for older adults, which came out a couple of years ago, remains about the same.
The CDC recommends a single dose of any FDA-licensed RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and older and adults 50-74 at increased risk of severe RSV. For a full list of conditions that increase the risk of severe RSV, visit cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/vaccine-clinical-guidance/adults.html and consult your physician.
Three RSV vaccines are available for adults: GSK’s Arexvy, Moderna’s mResvia and Pfizer’s Abrysvo. They are one-dose vaccines and not an annual vaccine.
“(People) should talk to their primary care (doctor) before they decide to go for the shots … and see if they should take it or not,” Datar said.
He said hospitals have seen an increase in admissions for RSV, COVID and flu the last couple of respiratory seasons. He recommends people stay at home if they have upper respiratory symptoms until they are diagnosed. He recommends social distancing, face masks and proper handwashing as well for those with symptoms.