Walter McCubbin pretended to be in absolute pain as Linda Hoover gave him his seasonal flu shot, but his wife, Rosemarie, knew better.

“You’re not supposed to do that,” she chastised, only half-serious after watching his expression.

The Sparks couple on Monday both received seasonal flu shots within the comfort of their own home, thanks to the homebound vaccination services REMSA is providing this month.

“I’ve been getting shots for the past eight or nine years,” Walter said. “I haven’t had the flu.”

Though he has been flu-free, he did have a heart attack in February and has a pacemaker while Rosemarie has difficulty walking.

“It’s really a job to get me into the car to get to go anywhere so I have to use the walker,” she said. “Then I have to get a wheelchair. We were working on my walking so my legs could get stronger. … My whole right side went out.”

To accommodate the McCubbins last year, Hoover, a registered nurse, came to their house to administer the flu shots. Anyone who has a disability and is on Medicare is eligible for the homebound service in which clients can obtain flu or pneumonia shots, Hoover said.

“We serve those who cannot get out into the regular market clinics and pharmacy clinics,” Hoover said. “I probably do 100 to 125 (clients) a year in the flu season.”

The service covers a major portion of the Reno-Sparks area from North Valleys to Washoe Valley, Hoover said. On Tuesday, she saw 14 clients.

“We try to get people (in October) so they can start building up immunity to the flu season,” she said. “The program goes as long as we have clients.”

The cost is comparable to the vaccine one would get by going to the doctor. Flu shots are $28 and pneumonia shots cost $50. The McCubbins paid and received a receipt from Hoover and will send it to their insurance, Senior Dimensions, to be reimbursed.

“It’s the way to go now,” Walter said. “I’m having more trouble getting out since I’ve had this (pacemaker). I have bad legs. I had surgery about nine years ago and I got a staph infection and I got permanent damage in my right leg.”

He added it’s more convenient in terms of time as well.

“This is going to make it a lot easier for me because going to the doctor anymore is a pain in the butt and the only reason I go anymore is because (the doctor) wants me to,” Walter said.

“These are exactly the people we want to see: the people who are homebound who have chronic conditions and can’t get out,” Hoover said.

Hoover began driving to homes last week and plans her schedule so that her clients are generally in the same area. She will continue through November or until the vaccine is gone.

“I’ve had really good experiences. It’s really fun to be able to go back year after year and see the people that I saw last year. It’s really rewarding to check on their health for another year and see them and come back. I can see the progress she (Rosemarie) has made in the last year,” Hoover said, turning to tell the homebound woman that she looked great.

Hoover said those who are interested in receiving the service still have time this season to call.

Those who are interested in having a REMSA nurse visit their home for a shot can call the business office at 858-5700.