Portland VAMC News
If you choose to get your flu shot in the community, please let us know so we can update your records. You can:
1) Use MyHealtheVet to send your healthcare team a secure message OR
2) Return the postcard you received in a sealed envelope OR
3) Leave a voice mail at 503-273-5225. Please remember that this number is only to let us know that you got your flu shot. It is not a call back line.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!
Veterans enrolled in VA health care may receive their flu shots, free-of-charge. No appointment is necessary. Please bring your Veteran's ID card with you.
Flu shots will be available at the locations listed below — For the most current information patients are encouraged to call the Flu hotline number, before leaving home, at 503-808-1923 or outside Portland at 800-949-1004, ext. 51923.
Veterans with scheduled medical appointments at any of the VA facilities should ask for their flu vaccination at that time.
This year, you also can go to your local Walgreens Pharmacy to get a flu shot. Just show your VA ID card to the pharmacist. There is no cost for most Veterans when they use Walgreens Pharmacy (not to be confused with a Walgreens Clinic, please go to the Walgreens Pharmacy.)
You do not need an appointment to get a flu shot in any of the walk-in flu clinics or at Walgreens Pharmacy. Veterans with scheduled medical appointments at any of the VA facilities can ask for their flu shot at that time.
Influenza or “the flu” is caused by a virus and can be a serious infection. The flu can be prevented easily or at least made less severe by getting a flu shot. The best time to get a flu shot is as soon as the vaccine becomes available in September. However, getting a flu shot later still will protect you from the flu.
The flu spreads easily from person to person. The infection can be mild, but it also can cause severe illness and even death. Certain people are at greater risk for serious illness if they get the flu. This includes older persons, young children and pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease; and people who live in facilities like nursing homes.
All persons aged 6 months and older should get a flu vaccination, including persons with minor egg allergies. For most people with minor egg allergies, the benefits of getting a flu shot outweigh the risks of getting the flu. If you are allergic to eggs, please tell your health care provider so that special precautions can be made.
The flu shot is safe and it works. While it is not 100% effective in preventing the flu, if you get the shot and still get the flu, it is usually far less serious than if you did not get the shot. Sometimes there are side effects from the shot that may be mistaken for the flu, such as a sore arm, body aches or a slight fever.
In addition to getting the flu shot, there are other things you can do to avoid getting or spreading the flu:
• Wash your hands often;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Stay home when you are sick if possible; and
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
For information about the dates, times and locations of walk-in Flu Vaccination Clinics, please call the hotline at (503) 220-8262, press 2, and then the number for your clinic.
Portland VA Medical Center:
Flu Clinics are currently closed. Please check back for information.
The VA Portland Health Care System Primary Care Clinic:
located at 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd. in Portland.
Bend Community Based Outpatient Clinic:
located at 2650 NE Courtney Drive in Bend.
Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC) Outreach Clinic:
located at 308 SW 1st Street in Downtown Portland by the Oak Street MAX stop.
Fairview Clinic:
located at 1800 NE Market Drive, Fairview, OR 97024.
Hillsboro Community Based Outpatient Clinic:
located at 1925 Amberglen Parkway, 3rd Floor in Hillsboro.
Newport Outreach Clinic:
located at 1010 SW Coast Highway in Newport.
North Coast Community Based Outpatient Clinic (Camp Rilea):
located at Camp Rilea, 91400 Rilea, Neacoxie St. Bldg. 7315, Warrenton.
Salem Community Based Outpatient Clinic:
located at 1660 Oak Street SE in Salem.
The Dalles Outreach Clinic:
located at 704 Veterans Drive in The Dalles.
Vancouver Primary Care Clinic:
located at 1601 E. 4th Plain Blvd. in Vancouver.
West Linn Clinic:
located at 1750 SW Blankenship Rd, Suite 300 in West Linn.
Page updated: May 4, 2016
