Delco Offering 3 Free Flu Clinics In October, November​

Delaware County wants you to avoid the flue this year, and to help it is offering several free walk-in flu clinics for county residents.

Delaware County Council and the Department of Intercommunity Health Coordination (ICH) are announcing several flu prevention initiatives for the 2017-18 season.

Residents can visit two free walk-in clinics on Friday, Oct. 13 at Pilgrim Gardens in Drexel Hill and Friday, Oct. 20 at the Haverford YMCA. There will also be a free Drive-Thru Clinic at the Tinicum Fire Station on Friday, Nov. 3.

All clinics will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"As we say every year, the best way to prevent getting the flu, or spreading it to your co-workers and family members, is to get immunized," County Councilman Dave White said. "You can see from all of the signs at local pharmacies and clinics that flu vaccinations are now available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people get the flu vaccination in October."

Delaware County’s Flu Awareness Campaign aims to make it as convenient as possible for people to learn how to prevent the flu.

• Awareness: Influenza information and recommendations are posted on the county website here.Information includes a fact sheet about the flu, the types of vaccinations, CDC recommendations, flu symptoms and treatment.
• Flu clinic information: The Department of Intercommunity Health makes available a calendar of flu clinics offered throughout the county also on the website. The clinics are listed by date and community.
• Walk-in clinics Oct. 13, Oct. 20 & Nov. 3: All residents, ages 3 and older, who have not received a flu shot this season, are invited to attend the clinics, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free walk-in flu clinics will be staffed by medical professionals and workers from the County Department of Intercommunity Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Delaware County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Delaware County Community College School of Nursing. Nonperishable food items will be collected for the County’s annual food drive collection.
• Senior Citizens: Senior citizens are among the groups hardest hit by the flu. Several Senior Centers in Delaware County will hold flu clinics for their members. Interested seniors should call the Senior Center to ask about insurance and requirements to register.

The Senior Citizen events are as follows:

• Pilgrim Gardens Senior Center, 1074 Pontiac Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 – Friday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Haverford Area YMCA, 891 N Eagle Road, Havertown, PA 19083 – Friday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tinicum Fire Station Drive-Thru Clinic, 99 Wanamaker Ave., Essington, PA 19029 – Friday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The intensity and severity of flu seasons are difficult to predict. The effectiveness of the vaccine is dependent upon many variables. It is predicted that this year’s vaccine will be effective and well matched to the circulating strains.

Currently, Australia is in the midst of one of its worst flu outbreaks on record. The bad news is that our flu season follows suit with the flu activity in the Southern Hemisphere which precedes us. The good news is that our vaccines seem a good match for the circulating flu viruses. Also new this year, the CDC recommends only the injection and not the nasal spray.

Pictured above from left are Councilman John McBlain, Vice Chair Colleen Morrone, Councilman Dave White (middle), Councilman Michael Culp, Chairman Mario Civera, Jr., and Dr. George Avetian

Image via Delaware County