Beat the Flu Season Early -- Get a Flu Shot

*Editor’s note: This story was first published Sept. 16. Here it is again, in case you missed it.

With the pending arrival of fall next week, Greenwich health officials are looking to stave off the flu season.

The flu season typically begins in early fall and the Greenwich Health Department has scheduled five flu shot clinics for local residents.

Influenza (commonly called “flu”) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. These viruses are spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches a surface handled by others. It can be mild or severe and infects millions of Americans every year, according to the health department which says that on average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized annually for seasonal flu-related complications.

The best way to prevent getting the flu is to get vaccinated. It takes up to two weeks after vaccination for protection (immunity) to develop in the majority of adults.

The Health Department’s immunization clinics are for persons age 9 years and older. The Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, made especially for people 65 years of age and older, will be offered at clinics. The clinics also will have shingles vaccine available in limited quantities for those persons 60 years and older and pneumonia vaccine for persons 65 years and older.

This year’s seasonal influenza vaccine will contain four (quadrivalent) influenza virus strains – one Influenza A-like (H3N2) virus, one Influenza A-like (H1N1) virus and two Influenza B-like viruses, according to the health department.

Here’s the clinic schedule:

• Oct. 1: the Health & Wellness Expo (formerly the Senior Health Fair) will be held at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd., Old Greenwich. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Oct. 8: at Greenwich Town Hall, 101 Field Point Rd. Hours: 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Oct. 15: at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd., Old Greenwich. Hours: 3:30 to 6 p.m.
• Oct. 22: The Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center, 449 Pemberwick Rd. Hours: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Oct. 27: at Greenwich Town Hall, 101 Field Point Rd. Hours: 4 to 6 p.m.

Fees:

Participants 65 years of age or older must bring their Medicare Advantage ID Card/Traditional Medicare Part B Card or a fee of $35 will be charged for influenza immunizations. (Seasonal and Fluzone High Dose)

The charge for the pneumonia immunization (Pneumovax 23) is $60.

The charge for shingles vaccine is $182 (cash/check only – no insurance billing).

Medicaid will not be accepted; however, patients are advised to call 203-622-7854 for further assistance. Credit cards will not be accepted.

Short sleeves and attendance no earlier that 15 minutes before the start of the clinic will be appreciated.

The public is encouraged to call 203-622-3774 prior to attending any clinic.

Photo credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via Flickr.com.