Wakefield Police Encourage Residents to Get Their Flu Shots

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015

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

Wakefield Police Encourage Residents to Get Their Flu Shots

WAKEFIELD – With flu season right around the corner, Chief Rick Smith and the Wakefield Police Department recommend that residents attend a community clinic this fall.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by A or B viruses that appears 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.

“It is imperative that our residents be proactive and get the vaccination early this year, especially those who have a weak immune system,” Chief Smith said. “By doing so, it is our hope that the we prevent that majority of our community from contracting and spreading the virus.”

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 also is 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 Health Department will be offering residents flu shots for adults 18 years and older. Residents of all communities are welcome at any of the scheduled clinics. Most insurance companies are accepted, or the vaccine is $10 for those without participating providers. Please be sure to bring your insurance card with you.

Sept. 29 from 10-11 a.m. at the Americal Civic Center, 467 Main St., Wakefield

Oct. 7 from 12-1 p.m. at Memorial Hall, 590 Main St., Melrose and 6-7 p.m. at the Galvin Middle School, 525 Main St., Wakefield

Oct. 14 from 10 a.m.to noon at the McCarthy Senior Center, 30 Converse St., Wakefield

Oct. 27 from 3-4 p.m. at the Milano Senior Center, 201 West Foster St., Melrose

For additional information please call the flu clinic hotline at 781-979-4127 or visit them online.

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