Town of Arlington
Department of Health and Human Services
James Feeney, Acting Director
27 Maple St.
Arlington, MA 02476
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 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 Clinic This Week
ARLINGTON – With flu season quickly getting underway, the Arlington’s Department of Health and Human Services would like to provide residents with health tips and remind them to get their flu vaccination at their upcoming clinic.
“We are strongly encouraging all eligible residents to get vaccinated now rather than wait,” said James Feeney, Acting Director of Health and Human Services in Arlington. “Proactively vaccinating will keep our community much healthier during flu season this year.”
The Arlington Department of Health and Human Services will be holding a flu clinic on October 22 from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Arlington Senior Center Mural Room, 27 Maple St. The clinic is for residents age 18 and younger, as well as age 60 and older with no appointment necessary.
Available at this flu clinic:
- FluMist for children ages 18 and under (Limited availability, first come, first served)
- High Dose flu vaccine for adults ages 60 and over
- Quadrivalent flu vaccine for anybody under age 18 or over age 60
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an extremely contagious respiratory illness that occurs mostly 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. Any number of these symptoms may present and residents are advised to call their doctor for medical advice.
The flu vaccine is updated every year based on which influenza viruses are expected to make people sick. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses, as it is 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 healthcare 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.
Those who wish to complete their flu vaccine paperwork ahead of time can download their forms, or pick them up at the Arlington Senior Center at the Department of Health and Human Services Reception Desk (ground floor).
For more information and downloadable forms, visit http://www.arlingtonma.gov/health or contact the Department of Health and Human Services at 781-316-3170.
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