The single best way to protect yourself and others against the flu is to get vaccinated each year, and several St. Louis hospitals are offering free flu shots in South County this weekend and next.
Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson received their annual flu shots last week and urge all Missourians to get them. They especially encourage leaders and employers to get flu shots because “your actions can influence your employees to take positive steps and preventive actions to prevent the flu in your workplace this season.”
SSM Health is offering free flu vaccinations across the St. Louis region Saturday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon in an effort to reduce influenza risk for children, adults and their families.
The nearest location to South County is:
SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Fenton
Conference Center
1015 Bowles Avenue
Fenton, MO 63026
For a full list of SSM clinics happening this Saturday, see the list below.
And for the 16th consecutive year, Barnes-Jewish Hospital will provide free seasonal flu shots to the St. Louis community beginning this week. Free flu shots will be given at the Siteman Center in South County Saturday, Oct. 19.
South St. Louis County
Saturday, Oct. 19
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Adult & pediatric vaccinations (6-months and older)
Siteman Cancer Center – South County
5225 Midamerica Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63129
Parking is available free on-site
For a full list of earlier flu shot clinics from Barnes, see below.
All SSM Health flu clinics are for those age 9 and above. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is the only location that will vaccinate ages 6 months and above.
For all of the SSM flu clinics, vaccinations are available by injection only. There will not be a preservative-free option. Pregnant women are advised to obtain a flu shot from their primary care physician. No appointments are necessary. Participants should wear loose-fit clothing. Flu shots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis and are available while supplies last.
The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, body aches and sore throat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 200,000 Americans are hospitalized with flu-related complications each year.
In 2018, more than 20,000 people were vaccinated at the Barnes-Jewish flu shot clinics. Thanks to a donation from the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the St. Louis community (those 6 months and older) will again benefit from free flu vaccines. All vaccines are free of latex and preservatives, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
As recommended by the CDC, anyone 65 years and older are eligible to receive a high dose (HD) vaccine. Attendees who are 65 years or older will be given the HD vaccine while supplies last. If the HD vaccine is not available, the standard dose will be given.
Locations of the free SSM Health flu clinics are listed below. All clinics are from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 12:
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Drive-thru parking lot next to Ronald McDonald House
3450 Park Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63104
SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital
Drive-thru Bellevue Ave. (one block south of Clayton Rd.)
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
SSM Health St. Clare Hospital – Fenton
Conference Center
1015 Bowles Avenue
Fenton, MO 63026
SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis
Education Center – Koenig Building
400 Medical Plaza
Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367
SSM Health DePaul Hospital
May Center
12303 DePaul Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63044
SSM Health Outpatient Center
Lewis and Clark Conference Room
711 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Saint Charles, MO 63303
For those unable to attend the October 12 clinics, SSM Health says you can visit http://www.ssmhealth.com/access/now/ to schedule a visit with a physician’s office, urgent care or SSM Health Express Clinic at Walgreens.
Free seasonal flu shots are available at the following Barnes-Jewish locations (while supplies last):
City of St. Louis
Monday, Oct. 7 – Wednesday, Oct. 9
7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Adult vaccinations only (18+ years old)
Barnes-Jewish Plaza Tower, main floor lobby
1 Barnes Jewish Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63110
Parking is available in the Plaza Garage for $2/hour
Monday, Oct. 7 – Wednesday, Oct. 9
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Adult & pediatric vaccinations (6-months and older)
Center for Advanced Medicine, 3rd floor lobby
4921 Parkview Place
St. Louis, MO 63110
Parking is available in the Euclid Garage for $2/hour
West St. Louis County
Saturday, Oct. 12
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Adult & pediatric vaccinations (6-months and older)
Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Medical Office Building 2
10 Barnes West Drive
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Parking is available free on-site
North St. Louis County
Sunday, Oct. 13
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Adult & pediatric vaccinations (6-months and older)
Siteman Cancer Center at Christian Hospital
Christian Hospital Atrium – Detrick Building
11133 Dunn Road
St. Louis, MO 63136
Parking is available free on-site
South St. Louis County
Saturday, Oct. 19
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Adult & pediatric vaccinations (6-months and older)
Siteman Cancer Center – South County
5225 Midamerica Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63129
Parking is available free on-site
For safety reasons, flu shots are not available to individuals who have had a previous allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, those with egg allergies or anyone who has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
For more information, visit barnesjewish.org/flushots or call 314-TOP-DOCS (867-3627).
Governor urges making flu shots accessible for employees
Making flu shots more accessible to employees is also important as the flu can have a major impact on business operations. The Parsons encourage Missourians to take steps now to minimize the effects of flu in the workplace.
“I have always made getting the flu shot a priority because it helps me stay healthy, so I can better serve Missourians,” Parson said. “Today, many of our team members joined me and the First Lady in getting flu shots so that our office stays healthy this flu season. We encourage you to do the same to protect yourself and those around you from the flu this year.”
“I recently had the opportunity to be in Washington, D.C., to meet with all state health directors, the U.S. surgeon general, the CDC, and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. One very powerful way we discussed to increase vaccinations is for leaders of organizations to personally demonstrate the importance by being vaccinated themselves,” Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Randall Williams, MD, said. “We encourage leaders to follow Governor Parson’s example and get their flu shot to help keep themselves, their families, and everyone around them protected this season.”
Employers might consider offering an on-site flu clinic and/or encourage employees to seek the flu vaccination in the community.
If interested in hosting an on-site clinic during business hours, a great place to start would be contacting your local health department. Once you schedule a clinic, consider allowing employees to receive their vaccination without having to go off the clock.
If hosting an on-site clinic is not possible, there are other ways you can encourage vaccination for your employees. From displaying vaccination materials in high-traffic areas to policies that allow staff time to seek vaccinations in the community, many options can be adapted to fit your team.
