Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 4, 2024) - With the flu season upon us and the ongoing threat of COVID-19, it's important to know where to get your flu and COVID shots. Fortunately, there are several options in the Alleghany Highlands where you can receive these vaccinations apart from your primary care physician.
In Clifton Forge, there are several options: Kroger Pharmacy, CVS Pharmacy, and the Clifton Forge Health Department. The Journal reached out to all of those locations for information regarding flu and COVID vaccines.
Kroger was unable to offer us any details regarding vaccines because, according to the pharmacist on duty, corporate policy prohibits them from doing interviews or discussing vaccinations. However, there are signs inside the store indicating that both flu and COVID vaccines are offered on the premises and that walk-ins are welcome. From those signs, we also know that flu vaccines are free, but we assume there is a charge for the COVID vaccination. The Kroger pharmacy is open 7 days a week with hours varying. Kroger is located at 1618 Main Street in Clifton Forge and their pharmacy number is 540-691-2010.
Chris Schuler, the pharmacist at CVS, spoke in-person with the Journal before sending us the following statement via email packed full of important information about their vaccines.
"We are in full swing giving vaccinations to the public this fall. We offer over 15 vaccines in total, with extra emphasis this time of year on the seasonal respiratory viruses (Flu, Covid, Pneumonia, and RSV). We offer the High-Dose (Senior) Flu shots for adults aged 65 and older, as well as the standard Flu shot for individuals under 65 years of age. Additionally, we are well stocked with the Moderna Covid vaccine updated for fall/winter 24/25.
A newer vaccination for prevention of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is another vaccine we offer for all adults 75 years of age and older as well as adults 60-74 years old with conditions that put them at higher risk of severe disease such as Diabetes, COPD, asthma, and heart disease. Adults 19-64 with these same conditions that cause higher risk for pneumonia can receive a pneumonia vaccination, as well as all adults over the age of 65. Another great vaccination to prevent the shingles virus is available to adults aged 50 and older. This vaccine is a 2-shot series that provides life-long immunity.
Another vaccine that requires re-vaccination every 10 years is the tetanus shot, which we offer in the form of the Tdap vaccine. In general, insured patients can receive most of these vaccines at no cost. Patients can make appointments in the App or online on our website, or if preferred, can walk-in at any time during business hours. I always advise patients to discuss their vaccination needs with their healthcare provider or pharmacist if they have questions about adverse reactions, drug allergies, or other conditions specific to the individual patient."
CVS is located at 1610 Main Street, just next door to Kroger, and their store hours are 9AM-7PM, Monday through Friday, and 9AM-5PM on Saturday and Sundays. For additional questions, they can be reached at (540) 862-4223.
The Journal then stopped in to chat with the pharmacist at the CVS in Covington who confirmed that all of the information from the Clifton Forge location is congruent with the Covington location with one minor exception. Where the Clifton Forge location offers Moderna, the Covington location offers Pfizer.
We then paid a visit to the Walmart Pharmacy and learned that their flu and COVID shots are offered 7 days a week with no appointment necessary. Those who desire either shot is required to come in, fill out a form, and provide their insurance. If all steps are followed, they are eligible to be vaccinated the same day. CVS in Covington is located at 1111 South Craig Avenue and their phone number is 540-962-3951. Their store hours are 9AM-7PM, Monday through Friday, 9AM-6PM on Saturday, and 10AM-6PM on Sunday.
Walmart offers both Phizer and Moderna, as well as the higher-dose shots for those 65 and over. In most all cases, these vaccinations will be covered by the individual's insurance. For those who are not covered, the COVID shots cost $170, flu shots are $42, and the higher-dose shots, according to the pharmacist on duty, are about the same cost as the COVID shot.
Walmart is located at 313 Thacker Avenue in Covington with pharmacy hours being 9AM-7PM, Monday through Saturday, and 10AM-6PM on Sunday. They can also be reached by phone at (540) 962-6675.
The Alleghany Family Pharmacy, located at 1117 S. Craig Avenue in Covington offers flu and COVID vaccines through Phizer. We spoke to their pharmacist who stated that no appointments were needed, and hours to receive shots are from 10 AM-5PM, Monday through Friday. The pharmacy is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Their pharmacist stated that, in every case he has seen, the vaccines were covered under the individual's insurance, and he has not seen any out-of-pocket expenses for vaccines in several years. However, if one were required to pay out-of-pocket for whatever reason, the cost for the COVID shot is $165.99, the cost for the flu shot is $46.04, and the cost for the high dose shot (for individuals 65 and over) is $108.06. The phone number to Alleghany Family Pharmacy is (540) 965-2160.
We learned from the Covington Health Department that flu, COVID, and high dose vaccines are offered at the Clifton Forge and Covington locations, and everything works the same way. Currently, flu shots are offered for free, while COVID is covered under the individual's insurance. For those who may be uninsured, they can put in a request for a free COVID shot and simply pay an administrative fee. That fee varies and can be based on income or used on a sliding scale. Either way, the cost will be approximately or under $30. Individuals are asked to call the Health Department for payment options. Additionally, both health departments offer the Moderna vaccine, and all vaccines are done by appointment only. Anyone interested should call the Covington Health Department at 540-962-2173 to make an appointment for either location. While the Clifton Forge hours vary, Covington hours are 8AM-4:30PM, Monday through Friday. The Clifton Forge Health Department is located at 322 Jefferson Avenue while the Covington location is at 321 E. Beech Street.
Additionally, the Alleghany County/Covington Health Department will be on-site at the Community Health Fair happening on October 10 from 10AM-6PM in the Mountain Gateway Community College Armory. They will be offering 250 doses of the free flu vaccine for anyone aged 6 months and up. This information is contrary to what is posted on the flyer, as the flyer only advertises 150. We spoke to a member of the Alleghany County/Covington Health Department who told us they had indeed obtained an extra 100 shots, so the new number is 250 free flu shots. Additionally, they will have limited 2024-2025 COVID vaccines as well as high dose flu vaccines, though an insurance card must be presented for either.
Finally, the Journal paid a visit to EZ Care Walk-In Medical Center located at 919 South Craig Avenue in the same parking lot as Food Lion. We spoke briefly to the receptionist and learned that, while they do offer testing for flu and COVID, they do not offer vaccinations for either.
| | Both CVS locations in the Alleghany Highlands offer the flu and COVID vaccines on-site with one main difference. While the Clifton Forge location offers Moderna, the Covington location administers the Pfizer vaccine.
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