Flu Shots Available for Veterans

Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital is offering VA-enrolled Veterans a drive-through option for receiving a free annual influenza vaccination.

Truman VA’s drive-through flu clinic is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday each week (except on federal holidays).

The drive-through clinic is a fast, convenient way for enrolled Veterans to be vaccinated at no cost before the start of this year’s flu season. Veterans also may receive their free flu vaccination during regularly scheduled appointments at Truman VA’s Primary Care clinics, Specialty Surgery, Specialty Clinics and Behavioral Health. Additionally, enrolled Veterans may receive their no-cost flu vaccination at one of eight Truman VA community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) or at an in-network Community Care Network pharmacy or urgent care location.

The drive-through flu clinic is in the south section of the first floor of Truman VA’s parking garage located at 800 Hospital Drive, Columbia, Missouri. Veterans should access the drive-through clinic from the service road off Monk Drive, between the garage and Parking Lot D

To find out if your pharmacy or urgent care is a VA-approved, in-network provider, please contact Truman VA at (573) 814-6000 or call 1-844-698-2311 (select option one, and then select option one again). Veterans must show their VA health identification card at the time of their vaccination.

Now more than ever, being vaccinated against influenza is extremely important. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that last year in the U.S., there were as many as 56,000,000 flu illnesses; 26,000,000 flu-related medical visits; 740,000 flu-related hospitalizations; and 62,000 flu-related deaths. The current COVID-19 pandemic adds an additional health risk in addition to influenza. By receiving a flu vaccination, you can help protect our communities from a vaccine-preventable disease and reduce the burden of respiratory illness during a global pandemic.