DALLAS --- Seasonal flu continues throughout North Texas, and VA North Texas Health Care System has provided seasonal flu shots at its facilities in Dallas, Fort Worth, Bonham and Tyler since supplies became available in October. All veterans with an honorable discharge from the military who present their veteran identification card, discharge certificate or DD214 can receive seasonal flu shots during their clinic appointment, hospital stay, or the walk-in flu clinic, but the final drive thru opportunity this year is scheduled for Nov. 21, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., at these VA facilities.

·        Dallas VA Medical Center:  4500 South Lancaster Road – south entrance of the Clinical Addition

·        Fort Worth Outpatient Clinic: 300 W. Rosedale – under the canopy of the ambulance entrance

·        Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center in Bonham:  1201 E. Ninth – front of Building 1 under the canopy

Seasonal flu remains widespread in Texas, and most in the veteran population also have other health complications that put them at additional risk.

Small supplies of H1N1 flu shots have been received, and veterans in the following priority target groups are eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine when ordered by a VA provider.

pregnant women
persons who live with or care for infants aged less than 6 months persons  younger than 24 years
persons aged 25-64 years who have the following medical conditions:
chronic pulmonary disease or  neuromuscular disease impairing pulmonary function  
Immunosuppression, caused by
Immunosuppressive medications (steroids, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs)
hematologic conditions (neutropenia, lymphopenia)
myelotoxic chemotherapy for cancer
human immunodeficiency virus disease
liver cirrhosis 

When additional supplies are received, the opportunity to receive the H1N1 flu shot will be available for other priority groups. Veterans should call the VA North Texas flu hotline for updates at 1-800-849-3597, option 9.