Dear SMA Patients,

Seattle Medical Associates will be conducting our Annual Flu Clinic drive-through on October 12th from 9:30am to 3pm PST. This is a free service provided exclusively for SMA patients to keep everyone as healthy as possible. We will have only standard dose vaccinations available. Like in previous years, we will occupy the round-about loop in front of the building off Minor Ave. This will allow you to stay in your car and keep the line moving to help save you time. Upon pulling in we will collect some info from you such as name, date of birth and which arm you prefer the shot. Please note that this is the first year we will be performing this clinic for only 1 day and will only be offered to SMA patients.

In addition, this year, we will also be offering an “In-Clinic: Flu Clinic” on Friday, October 18, from 9:00 am-2:00 pm PST. You must contact us at 206-215-2550 to schedule one of the limited appointments for this day. We will be offering free standard dose flu shots, to SMA patients only.

 

If you are interested in obtaining the high dose flu shot, RSV, or COVID vaccines, please obtain at your local pharmacy. (CDC is currently recommending receiving the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine at least two months after last COVID vaccine, or three months after having COVID. )

Thank you,

SMA Physicians and Staff

CDC Guidance - Flu Shot 2024

  • For people younger than 65 years, CDC does not recommend any one flu vaccine over another.

  • For adults 65 years and older, there are three flu vaccines that are preferentially recommended for people 65 years and older. These are Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent inactivated flu vaccine, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant flu vaccine and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine. If none of the three flu vaccines preferentially recommended for people 65 and older is available at the time of administration, people in this age group can get any other age-appropriate flu vaccine instead. These will not be available to our patients at our annual drive-thru clinic.

  • We will be offering standard (regular) dose vaccines at the flu clinic this year. Patients can obtain high dose at your local pharmacy.

Homecare Advice After Any Vaccinations:

  • Rest: Get enough rest and drink plenty of fluids

  • Take pain relievers: You can take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen to reduce soreness and swelling

  • Apply compresses: You can use warm or cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling at the injection site

  • Move your arm: You can move your arm frequently to keep the blood flowing

  • Avoid intense exercise: For the first 24 hours after the shot, avoid intense physical activity like running or weight training

  • Eat a healthy diet: A healthy and balanced diet can help boost your immune response

  • Avoid heavy drinking: You should avoid heavy drinking, especially during the first two weeks after the shot

Mild soreness, redness, and swelling at the injection site are normal and a sign that your immune system is working. These side effects are usually short-lasting and mild compared to the symptoms of a bad case of the flu. 

If side effects linger or worsen, you should call your doctor.