Influenza (commonly called “flu”) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. These viruses are spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes or touches a surface handled by others. It can be mild or severe and infects millions of Americans every year. The CDC estimates 37.4 million to 42.9 million cases of influenza in 2018-19. The best way to prevent getting the flu is to get vaccinated. It takes up to two weeks after vaccination for protection (immunity) to develop in the majority of adults. To ensure proper protection from the seasonal flu virus, which can begin to circulate early in the fall, the Department of Health has scheduled immunization clinics throughout the month of October. Persons 9 years and older will be eligible to receive influenza vaccine at Department clinics. Seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccine and high dose vaccine for people 65 years of age and older, will be offered at clinics. Clinical trials indicate that the Fluzone High Dose vaccine helps strengthen the body’s immune response in older people.
Each year the seasonal influenza vaccine contains three or four influenza virus strains. In 2019-20, the influenza seasonal vaccine will contain one Influenza A-like (H3N2) virus, one Influenza A-like (H1N1) virus and either one or two Influenza B-like viruses. The seasonal influenza vaccine (quadrivalent influenza vaccine) purchased by the Department contains two influenza B-like viruses along with the two influenza A-like viruses. The viruses in the flu shot are inactivated (not live), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur include: low grade fever, soreness and aches. Influenza can affect anyone; however, those 65 years of age and older have a higher risk for complications from influenza. Usually people experience a rapid onset of high fever (although not all individuals exhibit fever), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, chills, headache, fatigue and body aches.
Director of Health, Caroline C. Baisley, emphasized, “getting vaccinated every year is the best way to provide protection against circulating influenza viruses. The traditional flu season begins early October and runs through May in most years and sustained influenza transmission is usually not seen before January or later. The Department of Health is committed to working with medical providers in an effort to provide influenza vaccine in the community, especially to those at increased risk for severe complications from influenza.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all persons 6 months of age and older should be immunized; however, it is especially important for the following groups to receive flu vaccine:
• All children aged 6 months through 59 months; all persons aged 50 years and older, especially adults over 65
• Persons 6 months of age and older with underlying chronic medical conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular disease (except isolated hypertension), diabetes, neurological, hepatic or renal disorders and immunosuppression, that require frequent or ongoing medical management.
• Women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season
• Household contacts, including children, of persons at high risk due to medical conditions and/or infants under six months of age
• Healthcare workers and residents in long term care facilities and nursing homes
• Persons who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index (BMI) > 40)
Note: Seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for all persons aged 6 months of age and older, however, immunizations will not be administered to individuals under 9 years of age at the Department clinics. Parents are advised to contact their pediatricians for an appointment and dose requirements for children six months to eight years of age. For additional information about how to obtain a flu vaccination from the Department of Health for children under age 9 years, please contact the Division of Family Health at (203) 622-7861 or (203) 622-6495.
Who Should NOT Get the Seasonal Flu Shot
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination (PCV13/Prevnar13® or PPSV23/Pneumovax23®) for all adults 65 years or older. Both pneumococcal vaccines will be available at clinics. In addition, these pneumococcal vaccines are available at the Department of Health year round. Call (203) 622-6495 for additional information about recommended vaccines for adults.
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Everyday preventive steps include, but are not limited to the following
During the influenza season, the public is encouraged to call the Department of Health flu information hotline for up-to-date information at (203) 622-3774, or visit the Department’s website main page at www.greenwichct.gov.
GREENWICH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INFLUENZA AND PNEUMONIA VACCINE IMMUNIZATION CLINIC SCHEDULE – 2019
Health and Wellness Expo
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
EASTERN GREENWICH CIVIC CENTER
Harding Road, Old Greenwich
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019
3:00 - 5:00 PM
BENDHEIM WESTERN GREENWICH CIVIC CENTER
449 Pemberwick Road, Greenwich
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019
4:00 - 6:00 PM
GREENWICH TOWN HALL
101 Field Point Road, Greenwich
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019
101 Field Point Road, Greenwich
All Clinics are for persons 9 years of age and older
FEES AND ACCEPTED INSURANCE
Short sleeves and attendance no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of the clinic will be appreciated.
The public is encouraged to call the flu line at: 203-622-3774 prior to attending any clinic. All changes to the set schedule will be recorded and publicized to the best of the Department’s capability.