Arlington Health and Human Services to Hold Three Additional Flu Clinics in November

For Immediate Release
Friday, Oct. 30, 2015

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

Contact: Christine Bongiorno
Phone: 781-316-3170
Email: CBongiorno@town.arlington.ma.us

Arlington Health and Human Services to Hold Three Additional Flu Clinics in November

ARLINGTON – Arlington’s Director of Health and Human Services, Christine Bongiorno, is happy to announce that three additional flu clinics have been scheduled for November.

“As long as vaccine remains available, we will continue our efforts to vaccinate as many of our residents as possible before influenza becomes widespread in the region,” Bongiorno said. “We encourage all residents to take advantage of these clinics and get vaccinated, don’t wait.”

The Arlington Department of Health and Human Services will be holding flu clinics at the Arlington Senior Center Mural Room, 27 Maple St. for residents age 18 and younger, as well as age 60 and older on the following dates:

• Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015 from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015 from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Available at these flu clinics:

• High Dose flu vaccine for adults ages 65 and over
• Quadrivalent flu vaccine for anybody under age 18 or over age 60

No appointment is necessary and the clinic is free for patients with insurance. Uninsured patients must pay $15 for a regular flu vaccine or $50 for a high dose flu vaccine. Click here for information regarding the differences between high dose and regular flu vaccine.

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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