Arlington Health and Human Services to Offer Flu Shots to Community

For Immediate Release
Monday, Sept. 14, 2015

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Contact: James Feeney
Phone: 781-316-3170
Email: JFeeney@town.arlington.ma.us

Arlington Health and Human Services to Offer Flu Shots to Community

ARLINGTON — With fall less than two weeks away, flu season will be here before you know it. Acting Director of Health and Human Services James Feeney asks that residents be proactive in getting their flu shots by attending one of the Health Department’s upcoming clinics.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by A or B viruses that appear most in the winter or early spring. It attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.

Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea. Any number of these symptoms may be apparent and residents are advised to see a doctor immediately to confirm if they have the flu.

“Children and seniors are at high risk for catching the flu more than others and we know how detrimental it can be to one’s health,” Feeny said. “We want our residents to be safe and remain healthy, so we encourage everyone to get their flu shot this season.”

The vaccine is updated each year based on which influenza viruses are making people sick. The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses, as it designed to:

• Prevent you from getting sick from the flu.
• Protect people who are at greater risk of getting seriously ill from flu, like children younger than 2 years old, adults 65 and older, pregnant women (and those up to two weeks postpartum), and people with chronic health conditions. Vaccination is also important for health care workers and other people who live with or care for high risk people.
• Reduce symptoms and the risk of hospitalization and death if you were to get sick.

The Arlington Health Department will offer high-dose flu shots to Arlington residents ages 65 and older on Thursday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arlington Senior Center. The high-dose vaccine is available by appointment only and all participants must be pre-screened prior to receiving the vaccine. Please call the Arlington Council on Aging at 781-316-3400 for registration information. There is no charge for the high-dose flu vaccine for residents who have a participating insurance provider. There is a $49.99 fee for residents whose insurance will not cover the high-dose vaccine.

The Health Department will also be offering regular flu shots to Arlington seniors on Thursday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. No appointment is necessary for the regular flu shot clinic. Residents must bring their insurance card(s) to the clinic. There is no fee for residents who have a participating insurance provider. There is a $15 fee for residents who do not have a participating insurance provider or do not have their insurance card(s) with them at the clinic.

Flu vaccination clinics have been scheduled at each of the Arlington Public Schools so that students may get their vaccination during school hours. Parents will continue to receive notices directly from the respective school. Children ages 6 months to 18 years can also get their vaccine on Thursday, October 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

The flu clinics to be held on September 17, September 24 and October 22 will be held on the ground floor of the Arlington Senior Center located at 27 Maple St.

Copies of the vaccination form can be found at www.arlingtonma.gov/health.  Forms are also available at the Department of Health & Human Services office at 27 Maple St.  Please complete both sides of the form prior to coming to the clinic.

Information on additional flu clinics, as well as the list of participating insurance providers, can be found on the Town’s website at www.arlingtonma.gov/health.  Information is also available on the Flu Hotline at 781-316-3413.

###