DEARBORN – The Dearborn Department of Public Health (DPH) will hold a free flu vaccine and COVID booster clinic for Dearborn residents.

The free clinic comes out of a partnership between the department, ACCESS and The Amity Foundation, and will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the lobby of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. Free health screenings will also be provided.

Walk-in appointments will be available, but residents are strongly encouraged to register online in advance at www.bit.ly/dphclinic using the organization code cfvdoc (case-sensitive). Residents MUST have their driver’s licenses and insurance cards with them to receive the vaccines. Uninsured residents are still eligible to receive the shot for free.

The updated COVID boosters contain an updated bivalent formula that both boosts immunity against the original coronavirus strain and also protects against the newer Omicron variants that account for most of the current cases. Updated boosters are intended to provide optimal protection against the virus and address waning vaccine effectiveness over time. The CDC recommends that everyone who is eligible stay up-to-date on vaccinations by getting an updated booster dose at least two months after their last COVID-19 shot—either since their last booster dose or since completing their primary series. Pfizer’s updated booster shot is recommended for individuals 5 and older and Moderna’s updated booster shot is recommended for people 6 and older.

Eligible individuals can get either the Pfizer or Moderna updated booster, regardless of whether their primary series or most recent dose was with Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. It is safe to get the flu vaccine—as well as any other vaccine—and the new booster at the same time.

Courtesy: Dearborn Public Health

Courtesy: Dearborn Public Health

HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR VACCINE APPOINTMENT (walk-in appointments will be available, but pre-registration is encouraged to expedite your appointment):

1. Click the following link: https://www.bit.ly/dphclinic
2. Organization Code: Please remember to type in the correct code
   1. City of Dearborn Organization Code: cfvdoc (this code is case-sensitive)
   2. Date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

3. Click Schedule Now and proceed to choose your immunizations from the list and click Next
4. Time slot: Choose your desired appointment time from the available times listed then click Select Appointment
5. Recipient Information: Enter your personal information and click Next.
6. Contact Information: (best one to reach you and receive an appointment reminder call or text).
7. Vaccine History, Health Information, Caregiving & Pregnancy: Please fill these out appropriately.
8. Customer Consent: Please provide consent.
9. Insurance: Please fill this out to the best of your ability. Any errors or inconsistencies will have to be corrected in person, so the more accurate information you provide online the more seamless your appointment will go (if you are uninsured, you are still eligible to receive the vaccines for free).
10. Primary Care Provider: You have the option of sharing details of your immunization with your primary care provider if you choose. This is optional.
11. Confirm Appointment: Click Confirm Appointment to finalize your appointment time.
12. Email: Check your email to confirm the confirmation of your scheduled appointment.

“As the state and country head into the first winter in two years without masks, social distancing and other COVID-19 mitigation measures, we are expecting— and in fact already seeing— big increases in flu activity across the country with an indication that Michigan is headed for the same experience,” said DPH Director Ali Abazeed. “As we witness pediatric hospitals across the state overrun with RSV and an expected uptick in COVID-19 cases as we enter the colder months, the best way to protect yourself and your families against respiratory viruses is by getting vaccinated soon so that you are protected through the holiday season. This year’s flu vaccines appear to be well-matched for the circulating strains of influenza across the U.S. The flu vaccine is recommended for people ages 6 months and older. The CDC urges people ages 65 and older to ask for the high-dose version.

For more information, visit www.cityofdearborn.org or www.dearborndph.org