The wind blew and the rain fell Saturday, November 15, 2008, but nothing could dampen the spirits of the 300 area residents who came by car to Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View and Bon Secours Health Center at Virginia Beach for Hampton Roads’ first-ever drive-thru flu clinic.

A team of twenty Bon Secours Hampton Roads staff and volunteers greeted drivers at a series of three tents. At the first, staff collected payment and users’ completed consent forms downloaded from the Bon Secours web site. At the second, flu shots were administered. At the third, goody bags were passed out and those who had received flu shots were waved on their way.

Feedback gathered from calls to Bon Secours media centers and at the event shows this new service truly addresses a need in Bon Secours’ community. Response was so positive that next year, Bon Secours hopes to expand the service to other Bon Secours facilities in south side Hampton Roads and the Peninsula.

Here’s what delighted patients had to say about the drive-thru flu shot concept and delivery:

• This is my first-ever flu shot – this was so easy.
• I'm in my pajamas and I just got a flu shot!
• I got breakfast in my car, a flu shot in my car...if I could only figure out how to get drive thru groceries.
• This is so neat – you should do this every weekend!
• I wish voting were this easy.
• I live by Obici (Sentara Obici Hospital) – but I come here because of the outstanding service. Thanks for this idea!
• I have been looking for an easy way to get my flu shot – this beats them all and it’s reasonably priced.

Local media captured additional images of the clinic and noted the presence of a physician from the city of Hampton Health Department who came to observe the drive through process for possible use in a public health emergency.

+ Drive-through shots offer hassle-free flu protection – pilotonline.com