Hospital’s Best Shot Is a Drive-Through

NEWPORT BEACH —  It was a natural for Southern California, where drive-through convenience flourishes.

After all, this is where the Rev. Robert Schuller preached at a drive-in theater in Garden Grove before the Crystal Cathedral was built. There are drive-up automated teller machines, drive-through cleaners, and in Anaheim, even a drive-through pawnshop.

And for one day a year, Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach adds its drive-through flu shot clinic for senior citizens to the list of things that can be done without ever stepping out of the car.

On Saturday, more than 2,000 people arrived in cars and motor homes to get free influenza inoculations, some of them an hour before the 8 a.m. start time. As they waited, they could take in the sweeping view of Newport Harbor and Santa Catalina Island, courtesy of the parking lot’s bluff-top location and the spectacular weather.

From early morning to mid-afternoon, nurses stationed in double lines inoculated drivers and passengers. The motorists rolled up their sleeves, stuck their arms out the windows, got their shots, then drove off.

“I like being out here getting some sunshine and doing something to protect my health,” said Bob Voyles of Costa Mesa. “I think it’s a great idea. I don’t mind the shot so much, and it looks like these people are having fun too.”

In fact, hospital auxiliary member Bernadette Goetz, 90, reported that she had little trouble rounding up enough volunteers to help doctors and nurses operate the annual clinic. “It’s a popular event,” Goetz said. “Everyone likes to get a chance to work outside when the weather’s nice.”

The drive-through convenience was originally offered only to the handicapped, “but then everybody wanted to use the drive-through instead of parking their car and lining up inside,” hospital spokeswoman Pam Bolen said.

“So last year we decided to make it Orange County’s first drive-through flu shot clinic,” Bolen said. “Now people start calling us in August to find out when they can get vaccinated.

“Why not? I don’t think any other clinic has an oceanfront view.”

Clinic supervisor Judy Bethe said senior citizens and anyone who has a chronic illness should get a flu shot each year, with the period between November and April being most advisable, as that is when flu outbreaks are most common.

Further information about clinics can be obtained by calling the Orange County health department at (714) 834-8444.