Covid-19 and Flu Vaccine on Same Day? Yes

Healthy Connections Community Health Network is making it easier to protect yourself this fall and winter by offering Covid-19 vaccines (1st dose, 2nd dose, and Booster) and seasonal flu vaccines at its clinic locations.

It is safe to receive both the Covid-19 vaccine and flu vaccine in the same visit, allowing patients to accomplish both in just one office visit. Call 888-710-8220 to schedule an appointment. Find a clinic near you by visiting www.healthy-connections.org/locations.

The Covid-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone 12 years and older for the prevention of Covid-19 in the United States. The Moderna vaccine, which is available at Healthy Connections, is effective against SARS-CoV-2 infections, including asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, severe disease, and death. The Moderna vaccine is available to patients who are at least 18 years old.

The CDC reports that available evidence suggests that these vaccines offer protection against known variants, including the Delta variant, particu8larly against hospitalization and death.

Moderna “booster” shots are currently recommended to people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Eventually, these booster shots will be available to the rest of the population.

Flu vaccines are also now available at Healthy Connections. The flu vaccine for 2021-2022 will be a quadrivalent (four-component), designed to protect against four different flu viruses. It can be given at the same time as the Covid-19 vaccine.

Call 888-710-8220 for a vaccine appointment today.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
How bad will the 2021-2022 flu season be?

There are a lot of variables that could impact the severity of the flu season. Last year, with masking, social distancing, and other measures being taken because of the Covid-19 pandemic, flu numbers were down from previous years. But with fewer masks being worn, less social distancing, and more return to group gatherings, the 2021-2022 flu season could be very severe.

When is the best time to get my flu vaccine?

September and October are generally considered good times to be vaccinated. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October.

When is the best time to get my Covid-19 vaccine?

Now. The Moderna Covid-19 vaccine is administered in two doses, four weeks apart.

Why should I get my Covid-19 vaccine?

Rigorous studies have found the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine to be safe and effective. Getting the vaccine will keep you healthy, and it represents the best option for returning life to normal.

Can I get the flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine on the same day?

Yes.

Where can I get my vaccine?

Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinics are offering the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine and the 2021-2022 flu vaccine. Call 888-710-8220 for appointments or visit www.healthy-connections.org/locations to find a clinic near you.

Is there free transportation?

Medicaid patients are eligible for free transportation to get vaccinated and the vaccine visit will not count against the 12 office visits you get each year. Click these links to learn more:

English Español

Are Covid-19 booster shots being given?

Yes. Patients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised can receive their booster shot. Approval is expected soon for others to be eligible.

English Español

If we need a booster dose, does that mean the vaccines aren’t working?

No. Covid-19 vaccines are working very well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. However, with the Delta variant, public health experts are starting to see reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. For that reason, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for a booster shot so vaccinated people maintain protection over the coming months.

What’s the difference between a booster dose and an additional dose?

Sometimes people who are moderate to severely immunocompromised do not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination. When this happens, getting another dose of the vaccine can sometimes help them build more protection against the disease. This appears to be the case for some immunocompromised people and COVID-19 vaccines. CDC recommends moderately to severely immunocompromised people consider receiving an additional (third) dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 28 days after the completion of the initial 2-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series. In contrast, a “booster dose” refers to another dose of a vaccine that is given to someone who built enough protection after vaccination, but then that protection decreased over time (this is called waning immunity). HHS has developed a plan to begin offering COVID-19 booster shots to people this fall. Implementation of the plan is subject to FDA’s authorization and ACIP’s recommendation.

Covid-19 Tests, Vaccine Pop-Up Events in Malvern, Hot Springs, De Queen

In response to the Delta Variant of Covid-19 in our area, Healthy Connections is taking its testing and vaccination program on the road for three pop-up stops in August.

Non-profit Healthy Connections will offer Covid-19 testing and vaccinations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

  • Monday, August 2: Healthy Connections Malvern, 900 Martin Luther King Blvd., Malvern
  • Tuesday, August 3: Healthy Connections Hot Springs Central, 3604 Central Ave., Hot Springs
  • Wednesday, August 4: Healthy Connections De Queen, 1206 W. Collin Raye Dr., De Queen

At these events, Healthy Connections staff will collect insurance information from patients. But the result will be both services being offered at no cost to patients. The test is the “simple test” that does not require a deep penetration of the nostrils for testing. Results from this test will be available in 3 to 5 days.

Learn more about Healthy Connections and the Covid-19 testing and vaccination program at www.gettestedfree.com.

As of July 28, the Arkansas Department of Health is reporting more than 15,000 active cases and more than 1,000 hospitalizations in the state of Arkansas.

Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinics are also testing and giving vaccinations. In addition to the “free” test, clinics also offer the Covid-19 Rapid Test. This is done for $60 (cash or credit card only) and results are available in as little as 15 minutes. Insurance is not filed on rapid tests. The regular (free) test and Covid-19 vaccines are also available at clinic locations. Call 888-710-8220 for appointments.

Last summer, Healthy Connections took its testing pop-ups to communities across southwest and central Arkansas. More than 5,000 tests were done at these pop-up events.

The Healthy Connections Community Health Network includes the primary care/family medicine clinics of Healthy Connections, Healthy Connections Specialty, Evolve Behavioral Health and Medication Management, and Health For Life Clinic.

Healthy Connections clinics are open, safe, healthy, and here for the communities they serve. The Healthy Connections community health network is a federally qualified health center (FQHC). Healthy Connections and Evolve Behavioral Health both accept Medicaid, ARKids 1st, Medicare, and most private health insurance. There is also a sliding fee scale for patients without health insurance who qualify. Medicaid patients may be required to switch their primary care provider to Healthy Connections before they can be seen. Learn more about Healthy Connections at www.healthy-connections.org.

April Employees of the Month

Healthy Connections is excited to announce its April 2021 Shining STAR employees of the month:

WEST: DELFINA LOPEZ

EAST: MELANIE NEWMAN

Each month across the Healthy Connections Community Health Network, exemplary employees are nominated for this award for representing our Three Pillars: Excellence, Compassion, and Community. These pillars are considered heavily when choosing winners.

As winners, Delfina and Melanie are winners of a $50 gift card or one day off work.

Delfina is a patient care coordinator at the Mena clinic.

  • “Delfina is very pleasant and tries her best to help all patients that walk through the door. She always has a pleasant attitude and she is always willing to help anyone that needs help.”

Melanie is a nurse practitioner in primary care and pediatrics at Healthy Connections Hot Springs Central.

  • “Melanie’s bright smile and soft spirit make her a pleasure to her patients and coworkers. She is always willing to take time and listen.”

Congratulations to both Delfina and Melanie.

Do you know who should be our next to be recognized? Nominate by visiting https://www.healthy-connections.org/nominate.

Masks Required at Clinics

For the safety of our patients, visitors, and staff, the Healthy Connections Community Health Network will continue to require masks in accordance with current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations.

Thank you for your cooperation.

HCI, Calandro Finalists for Arkansas Business of the Year Awards

Healthy Connections, Inc., and CEO Tony Calandro have been named finalists in the Arkansas Business 33rd Annual Business of the Year awards.

Healthy Connections, Inc., is a finalist for Nonprofit Organization of the Year, while Calandro is a finalist for Nonprofit Executive of the Year. The winners of each category will be revealed at the awards ceremony on March 3, 2021. Finalists were selected by an outside panel of judges and coordinated by Arkansas Business. Thirty-two finalists are selected from across the state in seven categories. See the complete list of finalists at www.ArkansasBusiness.com/ABOY.

Read the story about Healthy Connections, Inc., in Arkansas Business by clicking this link: https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/events/3/arkansas-business-of-the-year/honorees/792/healthy-connections-inc

Read the story about Calandro in Arkansas Business by clicking this link: https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/events/3/arkansas-business-of-the-year/honorees/795/tony-calandro

Healthy Connections is a Mena-based nonprofit community health network with clinic locations in Mena, Hot Springs, Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Mount Ida, and De Queen. Since its founding as a home-visiting program in 1998, Healthy Connections has been able to provide much-needed health, dental, behavioral health, and social services to families of every lifestyle.

Learn more about Healthy Connections at www.healthy-connections.org.

 

Clinic Holiday Hours

Please note the following holiday hours at Healthy Connections Community Health Network clinics. Call 888-710-8220 for appointments:

Mena

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Hot Springs Central

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Hot Springs Chippewa

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Malvern

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Little Rock Franklin

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Health For Life Clinic (Little Rock)

Not open for appointments from Dec. 23 through Dec. 31)
Call (501) 603-0003 for appointments or medication refills

Arkadelphia

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

Mount Ida

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed

De Queen

Thursday, December 24: Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Closed
Thursday, December 31: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Closed