Milford Hospital Celebrates Anniversary with Free Shots

From Milford Hospital: The flu season has officially arrived in Connecticut! Typically beginning in October and spiking after the holidays, this year has been no exception. The state Department of Public Health, reports cases of the influenza are widespread and rapidly increasing. Locally, physicians at Milford Hospital have seen a significant increase in patients with influenza. According to Emergency Physician and Walk In Center Medical Director, Dr. Christopher Gennino, “the flu is in full swing.” If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, now is the time to do so.

To protect yourself, your family, friends and co-workers against this year’s flu outbreak, Milford Hospital is offering free flu shots to local residents, age 18 and older at a flu clinic on Saturday, January 21st. In honor of their 10th Anniversary at the Post Road location, the free flu shots will be given at the Milford Hospital Walk In and Urgent Care Center property, 831 Boston Post Road in Milford from 10:00am until 2:00pm or while supplies last. Only the first 200 people, eligible to receive the vaccine, will be immunized. WEBE 108 and WICC Radio have joined forces with the hospital as a media partner to spread this important message. The radio stations will be on-site at the flu clinic on Saturday.

The flu season can last through May. The CDC highly recommends that everyone receive the flu vaccine each year. “You do not want to get the flu, it’s miserable! The good news is, it is not too late to get the vaccine which will protect the majority of people” said Gennino. “The vaccine can prevent or lessen the symptoms.”

Influenza is a contagious virus and is spread mainly thorough coughing, sneezing and close contact. Flu can be dangerous for some patients, particularly the very young, those 65 and older, people with certain health conditions and weakened immune systems. Gennino says “the flu is typically a sudden onset of headache, muscle aches and respiratory symptoms. Those that are ill with the flu are very uncomfortable.”

“Our mission is to keep our community healthy and events like this free flu clinic are one the things we can do to achieve that mission” said Joseph Pelaccia, President and CEO. “Milford Hospital has a dedicated and compassionate staff that truly care about the health and wellness of our neighbors. We hope by offering this we can prevent unnecessary illness and keep our community healthier this winter.”

For more information about the flu clinic, please call Community Relations (203)876-4060. Appointments will not be taken and shots will be given on a first-come, first served basis.

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