The Florida Department of Health in Marion County will hold a drive-through flu shot clinic on Friday, March 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the department’s Ocala location (1801 SE 32nd Ave.) Anyone from the public can come to the drive-through clinic and get a free flu shot during that time.
The department is holding the drive-through clinic as a preparedness exercise to help the department test its emergency dispensing processes. The department is responsible for dispensing needed medicine or vaccinations if there were a public health emergency, such as pandemic flu. Through staff participation in the exercise, the department will evaluate its current dispensing plan and prepared site layout and identify the staffing needed to manage its operation.
People who aren’t able to come to the drive-through clinic still have the opportunity to get a free flu shot at a close-by location. The department will continue to offer the flu shot for free during normal business hours at the department’s Ocala office (1801 SE 32nd Ave.) and aboard the Mobile Health Unit bus. The bus will be at the following locations in the weeks ahead:
• Mar. 24: Ocala Farm Ministry (489 NW 110th Ave., Ocala) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• April 6: Marion Oaks Community Center (280 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• April 7: Forest Community Center (777 S. Highway 314A, Ocklawaha) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• April 14: Florida Highlands Baptist Church (10891 SW 155th St., Dunnellon) from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• April 28: Ocala Farm Ministry (489 NW 110th Ave., Ocala) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The department will offer other immunizations in addition to the flu shot (and other services as available) aboard the bus. Schedule and services are subject to change. For the most current list of Mobile Health Unit dates, locations, and services, please visit Marion.FloridaHealth.gov.
