Seasonal Health Information

Influenza

Influenza vaccines for the general public will be available beginning Tuesday, October 10. The following locations will have flu shot vaccines available:

Broadlawns Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy
Main Campus, East Building, Ground Floor
1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines
All operating hours – M-F: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.,
SAT: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Please book your appointment by visiting,
Home - Broadlawns Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy (appointment-plus.com)

Broadlawns Cityville Clinic
580 SW 9th Street, Suite 100, Des Moines
All operating hours – M-F: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m;
SAT/SUN: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.

Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake
2970 University Avenue, Des Moines
All operating hours – M-F: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.;
SAT: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Walk-ins welcome.

East University Clinic
2508 E. University Avenue, Des Moines
Existing appointments or nurse visits available for current patients, M-F: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Walk-ins not accepted at this time.

Family Health Center
1761 Hickman Road, Des Moines
Existing appointments or nurse visits available for current patients, M-F: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Walk-ins not accepted at this time.

Primary Care
Main Campus, Medical Office Building, Ground Floor
1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines
By appointment only for existing patients,
M-F: 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Walk-ins not accepted at this time.

For existing patients, the Oncology Center, Pulmonary Clinic, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Women’s Health Center will administer during existing appointments. In some locations, nurse visits may be available. Please contact your primary provider’s office for more information. 

CDC Information

According to the CDC, the months of September and October are the best time to get a flu vaccine. Routine and flu vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older and are updated annually.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that affect your nose, throat, and lungs. For some people, flu symptoms may be severe, and can lead to hospitalization.  Even if you are not at high risk for severe symptoms, the virus could spread to someone who is at high risk. By being immunized, you are helping protect yourself and your community

If you are immunocompromised, have an egg allergy, or have experienced an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, please consult with your provider. Options may still be available for you!

If you have recently experienced COVID-19 or another acute illness, please defer your influenza vaccine until you have fully recovered. Additional details regarding COVID-19 vaccinations will be made available in the near future.

For additional information or questions, please visit with your primary care provider.

COVID-19 Information and Resource

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill. Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience more than four weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Older people and those who have certain underlying medical conditions are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Vaccines against COVID-19 are safe and effective.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch. People who are closer than 6 feet from the infected person are most likely to get infected.

COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:

  • Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
  • Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
  • Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.

Symptoms of COVID-19

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

When to Seek Medical Attention for COVID-19

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

Quarantine vs. Isolation

For additional information, please see the CDC's guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation.

Protect Yourself from COVID-19

Get Vaccinated

  • Authorized COVID-19 vaccines can help protect you from COVID-19.
  • You should get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can.
  • Once you are fully vaccinated, you may be able to start doing some things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic.

Wear a mask

  • Everyone 2 years or older who is not fully vaccinated should wear a mask in indoor public places.
  • In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.
  • In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
  • People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
  • If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection and prevent possibly spreading COVID-19 to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).

Stay 6 feet away from others

Inside your home 

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.

Outside your home 

  • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces

  • Being in crowded places like restaurants, bars, fitness centers, or movie theaters puts you at higher risk for COVID-19.
  • Avoid indoor spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors as much as possible.
  • If indoors, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors, if possible.

Test to prevent spread to others

  • Testing can give you information about your risk of spreading COVID-19.
  • You can choose from many different types of tests.
  • Regardless of the test type you select, a positive test result means that you have an infection and should isolate and inform your close contacts to avoid spreading disease to others.
  • Over-the-counter self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. Anyone can use self-tests, regardless of vaccination status or whether they have symptoms or not.
  • Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household.
  • A positive self-test result means that you have an infection and should avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading disease to someone else.
  • A negative self-test result means that you may not have an infection. Repeating the test with at least 24 hours between tests will increase the confidence that you are not infected.
  • Ask your healthcare provider if you need help interpreting your test results.

Wash your hands often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • It’s especially important to wash your hands:
  • Before eating or preparing food
  • Before touching your face
  • After using the restroom
  • After leaving a public place
  • After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • After handling your mask
  • After changing a diaper
  • After caring for someone sick
  • After touching animals or pets
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover coughs and sneezes

If you are wearing a mask:

  • You can cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.

If you are not wearing a mask:

  • Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Monitor your health daily

Be alert for symptoms:

  • Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
  • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
  • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Monitoring symptoms is especially important if you are running errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.

COVID Resources