Flu Increasing In Mass: Free Vaccine In Marlborough Available

MARLBOROUGH, MA — It's still early in the flu season, and overall flu activity is still low in Massachusetts. But influenza activity is rising, and that means you should get a flu shot if you haven't already.

According to the state's Dec. 13 flu report, about 2 percent of all doctor visits in the state were for flu-like symptoms. That's up from 1 percent of all visits at the beginning of November. During the 2017-18 flu season, the worst in recent years, doctor visits hit 5-1/2 percent at the peak.

This flu season is also ramping up a little earlier than past years. The state uses four categories to measure flu activity — minimal, low, moderate, and high. This season, the jump from minimal to low happened earlier than in any of the past six flu seasons.

Flu is a common winter ailment marked by high fever, weakness, chills, and sore throat. Most people survive an unpleasant bout with the flu, but the virus kills thousands of people in the U.S. each year. The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated, and to take precautions like washing your hands and avoiding people who are showing symptoms.

Here's where you can find a free flu shot near you.

Framingham

The Framingham Public Health nursing clinic offers free shots without an appointment. The clinic is open Monday to Friday at 113 Concord St. You can find more information on the city website.

Marlborough

All Marlborough residents can get a free flu shot by calling the health department at 508-460-3751 to confirm a time. Shots are subject to availability.

Natick

Natick hosts an appointment-free flu clinic every Thursday (except Dec. 26) from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Board of Health, 13 East Central St. You can also make an appointment to get a shot by calling 508-647-6460. Bring your health insurance card if you have one.

Sudbury

You can make an appointment with the Sudbury Health Department, 275 Old Lancaster Road, to get a shot. A town nurse can also make house calls for people who are house-bound. Call 978-440-5479 to schedule an appointment.

There are plenty of other places to get a vaccine, either by paying out-of-pocket or through health insurance. Visit the Vaccine Finder website to see locations near you.