Submitted by the Bedford Board of Health
The Bedford Board of Health is pleased to announce that the Town Wide Flu Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th from 9 AM – 12 PM at the John Glenn Middle School Cafeteria. Getting the flu shot still is the best way to prevent getting the flu. Vaccine for the 2017-2018 flu season has been updated to better match world-wide circulating flu viruses. It is estimated that up to 2,800 people in Bedford could get the flu this season. Influenza (flu) is contagious and can be spread by coughing, sneezing and close contact. The symptoms of flu include: fever or chills, cough, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue and a runny or stuffy nose.
Anyone can get the flu, but the risk of getting flu is highest among children. Flu can make some people much sicker than others. These people include young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions – such as asthma, heart, lung or kidney disease, nervous system disorders, or a weakened immune system. Flu can make existing medical conditions much worse and can also lead to pneumonia and cause diarrhea and seizures in children.
By getting the flu vaccine you protect not only yourself from getting the flu, you also help to keep it from spreading to those around you; your family, friends and co-workers. Flu vaccine is the best protection we have from flu and its complications.
The Bedford Town Wide Flu Clinic is open to residents of Bedford 6 months of age and older. It is free of charge for everyone; however, the Board of Health will seek reimbursement from your medical insurance company for the flu dose and administration of the shot. These reimbursements pay for the vaccine we provide each year and enable this program to continue. As such it is important for you to bring insurance cards to this clinic.
At the clinic, children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children 8 years of age or younger may need a second dose depending on their previous flu vaccination status. Please speak to your pediatrician if you have any question or concerns about the influenza vaccine for your child.
There will also be two additional opportunities for Bedford seniors, over the age of 65, to receive flu vaccine this year. An open clinic, to administer the regular flu shot, will be held at the Council on Aging on Thursday, October 12th from 10 AM to 12 Noon. Additionally, appointments are being accepted at the Council on Aging for a limited supply of high dose flu vaccine to be administered on Thursday, October 5th. Contact the Council on Aging at 781-275-6825 for an appointment to receive high dose flu vaccine.
If you’d like to save time, print and complete your flu shot registration form in advance of the clinic by navigating to the Bedford Board of Health website and click on the link: 2017 – 2018 Flu Registration Form. Bring this completed form and your insurance card to the clinic. We ask that anyone receiving a vaccination wear clothing that allows for easy access to their arm for vaccine administration. If you have any questions about the clinics or the Flu Vaccine please contact the Board of Health at 781-275-6507 or visit the Board of Health website at www.bedfordma.gov/health.
Loading ...
