Arlington Health Department Offers Flu Vaccine Clinics for Children and Seniors

ARLINGTON, MA — It's that time of year again. The Arlington Health Department is encouraging residents to be proactive this season by getting a flu shot at one of the Health Department’s upcoming vaccination clinics.

The Arlington Health Department will offer regular and high-dose flu shots to Arlington residents 60 and older on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and then the following week, Thursday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arlington Senior Center at 27 Maple Street.

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“Children and seniors are at higher risk for complications from the flu,” Director of Public Health Natasha Waden said in a press release. “By vaccinating our community, we can reduce the risk of serious complications, and we hope that everyone will take this opportunity to reduce their risk of becoming sick.”

To receive the high-dose flu shot, residents ages 65 and older may call the Council on Aging to pre-register, as there are a limited number of doses of this high dose vaccine. Residents interested in the regular flu vaccine do not need to pre-register, but must bring all health insurance cards to the clinic. Residents with participating insurances will receive a free flu shot.

Flu vaccination clinics have been scheduled at each of the Arlington Public Schools so that students may get their vaccination during school hours. Parents will continue to receive notices directly from the respective school.

Children ages 6 months to 18 years may also get their vaccine on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ottoson Middle School at 63 Acton Street.

The vaccine is updated each year based on which influenza viruses are reportedly making people sick and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone get a yearly flu vaccine as the first step in protecting against flu viruses, as it is designed to prevent people from getting sick from the flu or if they do, reduce symptoms and risk of hospitalization. It's also supposed to protect people who are at greater risk of getting seriously ill from flu, like children younger than 5 years old, adults 65 and older, pregnant women (and those up to two weeks postpartum) and people with chronic health conditions, or the families of health workers the health department's press release said.

Myth bust: Harvard Medical School recently noted that despite some common lore about cold weather, the only way to catch the flu is by being exposed to the influenza virus. Because Flu season coincides with the cold weather people often associate the flu with a cold, drafty environment. But they are not related.

Info on more flu clinics, as well as the list of participating insurance providers, can be found on the Town’s website at www.arlingtonma.gov/health. Information is also available on the Flu Hotline at 781-316-3413.

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