For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017

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

Andover Health Division Invites All Residents to Community Family Flu Clinic

ANDOVER – The Andover Health Division is pleased to announce it will offer a community family flu clinic next month.

WHO

Persons aged three and older

WHEN

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 4-7 p.m.

WHERE

Center at Punchard (Senior Center), 30 Whittier Court, Andover

WHAT

Persons aged three and older are invited to obtain a flu shot that can help them to fend off the effects of influenza, which can cause sever symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuff nose, aches and pains, headaches, chills and fatigue.

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.

Those who plan to attend the clinic will be asked to fill out insurance and consent forms, which can be obtained online at andoverma.gov/documentcenter/view/2758. Those covered by Medicare should include the letter at the end of their Medicare number. Residents covered by more than one plan are asked to list each plan on the appropriate forms.

All residents should bring their insurance cards — and a photocopy, if possible — with them to the clinic.

The senior flu vaccine (high dose) for persons over 65 will be available at the Nov. 7 clinic. Flumist (nasal mist) will not be available.

The flu vaccine is updated every year based on which influenza viruses are expected to make people sick each season. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention 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 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.

Participants are asked not to arrive for the clinic more than 30 minutes prior to its scheduled start time to allow for adequate setup time.

For more information on flu clinics offered by the Andover Health Department, residents can call 978-623-8640.

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