Flu shots are an important part of preventative health every year, with extra emphasis this year, surrounding the current pandemic with COVID-19 and the upcoming influenza season. One target population is school aged children.

A school flu POD event has been held in previous years. This year, due to COVID-19 response, the South Dakota Department of Health (SDDOH) was unable to help with the annual Flu Shot Point of Distributions. Recognizing the importance of flu shots in this target population, Charles-Mix/Douglas POD coordinator, Michelle Hollmann and Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera (WCMH-A) employee Connie Kaufman, RN, immediately took the initiative to make this event happen this year. Without the assistance of community health nurses, as in past years, the need for community volunteers was needed to make this event possible. The essential volunteers that helped make this event possible, included Wagner Community Memorial Hospital-Avera; Wagner Indian Health Service and several medical and non-medical volunteers. Two hundred and fifty-four flu shots were given over the course of the four hour event. Thanks to the SDDOH community health office for ordering supplies; Wagner Community School staff and the volunteers who help make this event possible. Special thanks for Dr. Mikaela Koenig, WCMH-A for providing the vaccination orders for this event. Community volunteers are always welcome to register for future POD events. If you are interested, please register at South Dakota Health Alert Network and send a message to Michelle at dantebee@hotmail.com