A free vaccination clinic for children will be held at the Frederick County Health Department.
Frederick, Md (KM) It’s time to roll up you sleeve. The flu season is upon us and health professionals are reminding everyone who can to get vaccinated against the influenza..
Even if you got a flu shot last year, Kelly Smith, the Immunization Coordinator with the Frederick County Health Department, says you still need to get vaccinated this year. “Many times what happens with everybody our antibodies levels kind of wane. They go low, particularly in our elderly,” she says. “So every year, a dose is going to boost that antibody level before the start of the flu season.”
The flu season usually begins in October, and continues through April, says Smith.
Health officials say those most susceptible to the flu are the elderly and the very young. But Smith says anyone can get influenza. “But don’t forget a lot of people that are immuno-compromised, people that have medical conditions. They might be getting sick, and if they get the flu, that just exacerbates something else that’s going on with them,” she says.
Other people who are susceptible to the flu are pregnant women, people with asthma, diabetes and heart disease, and those who take medications for a weakened immune system such a chemotherapy.
If you get the flu, the Health Department says stay home from work or school until you are free of fever for 24-hours. You should also contact your doctor or health care provider for anti-viral medications, and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and wash your hands.
To protect yourself against the flu, Smith says make sure you are vaccinated. Also, avoid being around sick people, wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Free flu vaccination clinics are available at the Frederick County Health Department for children on Saturday, October 20th, from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM; Tuesday, October 23rd from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM; and Thursday, October 25th from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM.
Even though all of the clinics are free, parents who want their kids vaccinated need to call or go on line to make an appointment. The number to call is 1-877-419-3409. The on line address is www.frederickcountymd.gov/flu. The appointment system will open on October 11th.
By Kevin McManus