Delco Offering Free Flu Shots Next Week

The Delaware County Council and the Department of Intercommunity Health Coordination want to keep you healthy this flu season and are partnering to provide a day of free flu shots.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday Oct. 14, the Ridley YMCA will be giving free flu shots to all Delaware County residents above 3 years old. The flu clinic will be staffed by medical professionals and workers from the County Department of Intercommunity Health (IHC), the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Delaware County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Delaware County Community College School of Nursing, according to the county.

Delaware County Councilman David White said last year's flu clinic at the Haverford YMCA resulted in a "tremendous" turnout. White said he and other county officials will be at the Ridley YMCA to get their flu shots Friday.

White said the state used to provide the flu shots, but about four years ago it stopped the funding.

"It was such a popular and beneficial program," White said of the flu clinic, "that the county decided to purchase the vaccines itself."

White said young children and senior citizens are the most vulnerable demographics and urges them and everyone else to get flu shots. The Surrey Senior Center at Hometown, 302 S. Jackson St., Media, is also hosting a free flu clinic for its members from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14. Call 1-866-225-5654 to preregister.

"This is proven to help," White said of flu shots. "While it doesn't guarantee you won't get the flu, it definitely helps you fight it."

The 2015 flu season was particularly difficult and deadly with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reporting disappointing results from the vaccination, according to a county press release.

The Ridley YMCA is located at 900 South Ave., Secane.

Visit the county's website for more information on the flu, as well as other dates, times, and locations to get flu shots.

Image via Shutterstock