WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — This season’s influenza vaccine is now available at Hy-Vee pharmacies, with no appointment or prescription necessary, the company announced this week.

Drive-thru flu clinics also will be offered at Hy-Vee pharmacies throughout the company’s eight-state region on select days.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends individuals 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine each year to prevent getting and spreading the flu virus.

Australia is nearing the end of its worst flu season in five years, according to a report from the country’s Department of Health and Aged Care1. This indicates flu activity in the U.S. could reach pre-pandemic levels during the 2022-23 season.

For the third consecutive year, drive-thru flu clinics will be offered outside of many Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations between Tuesday, Sept. 6, and Thursday, Oct. 27, from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Hy-Vee pharmacists will conduct a screenings prior to vaccination to ensure each individual is receiving the most beneficial flu vaccine for their health. Both regular- and high-dose flu vaccines are available at Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations.

Medicare and most insurance plans cover the flu vaccine and other immunizations at no charge. At this time, all vaccine patients must wear a mask during their vaccination, according to CDC guidelines.

Currently, flu vaccines are available without a prescription during regular pharmacy hours to patients 6 months and older at Hy-Vee’s Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota locations; and 3 years and older in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin locations.

Patients 12 years and older may also receive their COVID-19 vaccine or booster at the time of their flu shot at their local Hy-Vee pharmacy. Patients seeking both a flu and COVID-19 immunization should notify their Hy-Vee pharmacist upon arrival.

Hy-Vee will also be offering workplace vaccination clinics using its fleet of Hy-Vee Healthy You Mobiles and Hy-Vee Health mobile trailers. Employers who wish to schedule an onsite clinic for their employees can email vaccineclinic@hy-vee.com for more details.

Clinics are typically held September through November.