Our friends at the Minnesota Department of Health remind us that it’s more important than ever to get a flu vaccine to help protect ourselves and our families, as well as to help not overwhelm the health care system. This is especially true for people at higher risk of serious illness from the flu or COVID-19.

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic's new drive-through vaccination clinic allows people aged 19 years and older to quickly, conveniently, and affordably get their annual flu vaccination from the safety and comfort of their vehicle.  Bring your insurance card, a check made out to Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, or $20 cash.  Wear a face covering and clothes that allow easy access to your upper arm, and remain in your car. If you have any questions, feel free to call Sawtooth Mountain Clinic  at 218-387-2330. This year's drive-through flu shot clinic schedule: 

Tuesday, September 15
Grand Marais Fire Hall
516 5th Ave West, Grand Marais 
(Enter on 5th Ave W)
 7-10 am & 4-6 pm 

Saturday, September 19
Grand Marais Fire Hall
516 5th Ave West, Grand Marais 
(Enter on 5th Ave W)
1-4 pm 

Thursday, September 24
Birch Grove Clinic
9 Good Neighbor Hill Rd, Tofte
8-9:30 am & 3:30-5:30 pm

The Flu and COVID-19

The symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 can look alike:  fever, chills, coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, muscle pain or body aches, and headaches.  If a person develops these symptoms, they will need to be tested for COVID-19.  The folks at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic remind us that if more people get their flu shots and help prevent the flu from spreading, we’ll have fewer people with these symptoms, then fewer people will require COVID-19 testing, and, ultimately, fewer people will require medical care.  This saves the medical resources for the people that need them the most, such as people that are at higher risk from flu complications (children under age 2, people that are over 65, people that are pregnant, or those that have chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or cancer).  

You are more likely to catch the flu if you don’t get the vaccine, but you can’t catch the flu from the vaccine.   The viruses that are used to make the vaccine have either been killed or deconstructed.  It is possible, though, to be infected with the flu immediately before or right after getting the shot.  It takes a couple of weeks for the protection from the vaccine to kick in, so it’s a good idea to get your shot earlier, rather than later.  The doctors at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic recommend getting vaccinated in September this year.