Arlington: More than 400 Receive Flu Vaccinations from the Health Department at Town Day 2014

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Arlington Health Department Gives Out More than 400 Flu Shots at Town Day

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Health Department provided flu shots to a record number of residents at Town Day 2014 on Saturday, with over 400 people receiving their flu vaccination at the clinic. The Arlington Health Departments cites convenience and efficiency as the main reasons for the continued success of the Town’s flu clinic efforts.

“We were able to vaccinate whole families at once, rather than requiring residents to schedule individual doctor’s appointments,” said Patti Brennan, who manages the flu clinics in town.

Providing flu shots not only protects the community from the seasonal flu, but the clinics also serve as a training simulation for emergency preparedness using the Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) volunteers.

“If the Town were presented with a pandemic, we know we can quickly and effectively mobilize using the MRC volunteers,” said Christine Bongiorno, Director of Health and Human Services. “They are a vital part of our readiness plans, in case of emergency.”

MRC volunteers, comprised of Arlington residents who have both non-medical and medical backgrounds, are the backbone of the Town’s clinics and the MRC volunteers provide hundreds of volunteer hours to the Town each year.

“We remain truly grateful to the MRC volunteers for their dedication to the Town and the community,” Brennan said.

Additional Flu Clinics:

Arlington seniors are invited to the Senior Center, located at 27 Maple St, on Wednesday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Arlington children and their families are invited to the Ottoson Middle School, located at 63 Acton St, on Thursday, October 2 from 5-7 p.m.
For more information on upcoming flu clinics, or to download the Vaccination Form, please visit www.arlingtonma.gov/health. Residents can also follow the Arlington Department of Health and Human Services on Twitter @ArlingtonHHS.

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