Influenza (The Flu)
How to Get a Flu Shot
For those with health insurance, flu shots are available at local clinics, and also at area pharmacies. For those without health insurance, we can help.
We give flu immunizations to children who:
- Do not have insurance that covers immunizations
- Have Medical Assistance or BadgerCare
- Are Native American or Alaska Native.
Flu vaccines are usually available from September through June each year. Call (608) 266-4821 for an appointment.
Drive Through Flu Clinic at Alliant Energy Center
Beginning October 6, 2020 we will be holding a drive through flu vaccine clinic at the Alliant Energy Center that is available for Dane County residents 6 months and older who do not have health insurance, and Dane County children 6 months and older who have BadgerCare or Medicaid.
If you have insurance, please get your flu vaccine at your doctor’s office or a pharmacy. The drive-through flu clinic will be open until November 21st, or while supplies last.
We are not able to give the vaccine to people who have tested positive for COVID in the last 14 days, have recently been tested for COVID and are awaiting their result, or are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Alliant Energy Center Flu Vaccine Clinic Details
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Located at 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm-8:00pm
- Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00am-4:00pm
- Free
- No appointment needed
- You can stay in your car unless you have a medical reason to leave it.
- If you are not arriving via car, we can accommodate walk-ups and bike-ups.
- No ID is needed and you won’t be asked for your immigration status. We will ask for your name, date of birth, and address so we can record that you received a vaccine.
- Interpretation is available.
- Please wear clothing that will make your upper arm available for the vaccine. For children under the age of 5, their upper thigh needs to be accessible. Children can stay in their car seat while receiving the vaccine.
Getting Your Vaccine at Alliant Energy Center
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When arriving at Alliant, you will be directed to the flu clinic area.
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You will complete a brief registration and consent form once you arrive.
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After receiving the vaccine, you will be asked to wait in your vehicle for 15 minutes to watch for possible side effects.
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We will record that you received a flu vaccine in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry. You can access your immunization history on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry website.
Transportation
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You can drive, bike, or walk to the site
- If you drive, you cannot use the walk-up lane. The walk-up lane is reserved for those who bike or walk to the Alliant Energy Center.
- You can have multiple family members in your car to be vaccinated.
- For a free ride to the site, call the Public Health Transportation Line at (608) 243-0420. A transportation company will then call you to schedule the ride. It’s required that you wear a cloth face covering when using this service.
- You can leave the line at any time. If you need help finding an exit, please let a staff person know and they can guide you.
Severe weather
The flu clinic will continue through severe weather up to and including a tornado watch. In the event of a tornado warning, we will pause operations (including closing exterior doors) and shelter in place until the watch has expired and it is safe to resume operations.
About Getting a Flu Vaccine
- The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get immunized against the flu every year. Getting a flu vaccine protects you and the people around you!
- This season a flu vaccine is more important than ever due to COVID-19. Getting a flu vaccine this season helps protect yourself, your family and your community to reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the pandemic.
- Read more on CDC's website.