“We wanted to shout from the rooftops that all of you should get your flu shot,” said Leah Glasgo, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge.

Members of the hospital’s senior team each followed the message through by getting their flu shot on the roof.

“Getting your flu shot couldn’t be more important this year,” said Kari Jones, chief nursing executive. “While it doesn’t protect you from COVID-19, it does protect our communities and family as well as your loved ones to stay safe.”

Jones added, “Timely immunizations, such as the flu shot, are vital for protecting ourselves and our loved ones, especially during a global pandemic.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Members of the UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center senior team give a thumbs up after receiving their flu shots on the rooftop of the hospital on Wednesday.

In addition to Glasgo and Jones, Jennifer Crimmins, ambulatory vice president; Sarah Marsh, vice president of finance; Troy Martens, chief operating officer; Aaron McHone, vice president of behavioral health services; and Shannon McQuillen, vice president of people excellence, each got their shot on Wednesday.

Between Trinity Regional Medical Center and UnityPoint Clinics in the Fort Dodge region, about 4,000 flu shots are given annually.

“Right now especially it’s important to get our flu shots because we want to keep our community really healthy,” Glasgo said. “This is one way you can stay out of the hospital by getting your flu shot. That’s really important for our community to get vaccinated and stay well.”

In December of 2019, only 34.7% of Iowa’s population had received a vaccine. Hospital officials are hoping for higher numbers this flu season.

In an effort to make it more convenient for residents to get flu shots, Crimmins said UnityPoint would be hosting “Flu Shot Fridays”

Flu Shot Fridays will be Oct. 16 and Oct. 23 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Flu shots are available at Kenyon Road — Family Medicine, 800 Kenyon Road; Family Medicine — Second Avenue North, 1428 Second Ave. N; and Pediatrics — Fort Dodge, 804 Kenyon Road.

“If one of our Flu Shot Fridays don’t work for you, please feel free to stop by our retail pharmacy,” Crimmins said. “They do an excellent job. And I hear they have the softest needles in town,” she added in jest.