Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) announced the dates and times of more than a dozen local flu clinics scheduled throughout October, emphasizing the importance of receiving a flu shot annually amid the risk of falling ill this fall or winter. Getting a flu shot heavily reduces the odds that someone will contract the respiratory illness that can harm health for days or weeks. The flu can also cause complications for many with pre-existing health concerns.
“With school back in session and falling temperatures soon to lead to more indoors events and activities, flu will soon be on the rise,” said Sen. Needleman. “By getting a flu shot, you don’t just protect your own health, but you help your family, friends and neighbors by making it less likely that the disease will spread. With ample supply this year, I recommend everyone get flu shots, especially young children and older adults; a five-second flu shot is much better than five days sick in bed.”
According to the Chatham Health District, walk-in clinics will be held all throughout the 33rd District, with scheduled events including:
These flu clinics will be walk-in clinics with no appointments or co-pays necessary. All individuals over six months are welcome to receive flu shots. Both regular-dose and high-dose vaccines, the latter intended for people 65 years and older, will be available. Attendees are asked to bring a copy of their insurance card and a filled-out and printed copy of the Influenza Vaccination Consent Form, which can be found online at www.chathamhealth.org. More information about accepted health insurance and coverage is available at that website or by calling the Chatham Health District at 860-365-0884.
Flu prevention is important, health officials advise. According to the Department of Public Health, to protect yourself and others from the flu, make sure to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues (and to throw away used ones), cough or sneeze into elbows and wash hands often. The flu is most contagious in the first three days after illness begins, though it can be spread beginning a day before someone’s symptoms show and up to a week after they become sick. The flu can infect anyone, but children younger than five, adults above the age of 65, pregnant women and long-term care patients are at risk of complications that can become worse.