Matsche Farms Provides Free Flu Shots to Employees

With flu season just a sneeze away, the Rural Health Initiative emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated. Because let’s face it. There’s no convenient time to get the flu, especially if you’re a farmer. The chores cannot wait, the cattle still needs to be fed.

One local farm in Shawano County understands the importance, so much so they recently contracted with the Rural Health Initiative to offer on-site flu shots to their employees – at no cost.

The Rural Health Initiative Outreach Health Coordinator – Dawn Dingeldein, RN – traveled to Matsche Farms in Birnamwood on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 to administer a flu shot clinic. This was the first year they offered this service to employees. Matsche Farms also welcomed anyone from the local community to walk-in during the scheduled clinic hours to get a flu shot.

An informational flyer was mailed to neighboring farms and agribusinesses two weeks in advance, as well as shared on both the Matsche Farms and Rural Health Initiative Facebook pages, to help promote the event.

Management of Matsche Farms provided the flu shot free-of-charge to any of their interested employees – a way to show appreciation for their employees and encourage healthy preventive care. For many of the employees, this was their first time getting a flu vaccine, and the on-site location was 100% ideal.

For walk-in community members, the cost was $30 per vaccine. Payment was accepted via cash, check or debit/credit. The Rural Health Initiative does not have – and never has had – an insurance requirement to receive services, and due to current billing regulations, the Rural Health Initiative cannot accept insurance. This is the second year the flu vaccine, which is not included in the complimentary Kitchen Wellness services, has been offered by the Rural Health Initiative.
Despite the turnout being slightly lower than anticipated, the Rural Health Initiative remains encouraged by Matsche Farms’ interest and willingness to help its employees stay healthy.

“It’s always wonderful to learn about a farm owner or management team that values its employees enough to offer them on-site wellness opportunities,” says the Rural Health Initiative Program Manager Shaya Swanson. “Because we understand the challenge of leaving the farm, we enjoy traveling directly to them. It’s what we do.”

The Rural Health Initiative provides preventive health services in Shawano, Waupaca, and Outagamie counties. If you work in agriculture, or someone you know who does, and are interested in receiving a flu shot – contact our main office at (715) 524-1488 to learn more about our Kitchen Wellness preventive health services. The majority of our services are free, and we can customize the screenings to work best with your farm’s schedule.