MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — COVID-19 may be getting all the headlines, but the Martinsburg VA Medical Center wants people to remember it is flu season.
“It’s more important than ever to protect yourself and your family, friends, and coworkers. We’re going to vie for the same hospital beds, so if we can fight it and protect against it it’s much, much better,” Veteran Health Education Coordinator Bobbi Corbin said.
Corbin added the flu shot usually has an effective period of up to six months, so it is not too early to get a flu shot.
Lauren Winebrenner is Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. She told the Panhandle News Network if a veteran is unsure whether they have allergies, the flu or COVID-19, they can get a broad range of testing done at the VA testing site.
“We are increasing our testing capabilities to where we can actually run tests at the same time. One swab and test for flu and COVID,” she said. “That’s something we’re working on increasing to help veterans get faster answers on what they might have.”
More than 27,000 veterans last year were treated at VA Medical Centers for the flu.
The Martinsburg VA Medical Center is offering drive-thru flu shots and has an agreement with CVS Pharmacy to provide flu shots to veterans.
More information is available at https://www.va.gov/communitycare/flushot.asp.