For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Andover Health Division to Offer Two Flu Clinics for Seniors Next Month

ANDOVER – With flu season fast approaching, the Andover Health Division announces that it will be offering two high-dose flu clinics for seniors next month.

“Seniors are among the most vulnerable residents to get the flu,” said Thomas Carbone, Andover Director of Public Health. “We encourage all seniors who are able to come out to one of these clinics and get vaccinated.”

WHO

Seniors age 65 and older

WHEN

Tuesday, Oct. 4 and Thursday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. by appointment only.

WHERE

Cormier Youth Center, 40 Whittier Court

WHAT

The Andover Heath Division will be offering two high-dose flue clinics for seniors age 65 and older next month. Vaccinations are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call the Andover Health Department at 978-623-8295 or email health@andoverma.gov.

Consent forms will be available at the health department, town offices, senior center and on the Andover website.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an extremely contagious respiratory illness that occurs mostly in the winter or early spring. It attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.

Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Any number of these symptoms may be present and residents are advised to call their doctor for medical advice.

The flu vaccine is updated every year based on which influenza viruses are expected to make people sick. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses, as it is designed to:

• Prevent you from getting sick from the flu.
• Protect people who are at greater risk of getting seriously ill from flu, like children younger than 2 years old, adults 65 and older, pregnant women (and those up to two weeks postpartum), and people with chronic health conditions. Vaccination is also important for healthcare workers and other people who live with or care for high risk people.
• Reduce symptoms and the risk of hospitalization and death if you were to get sick.

While high-dose vaccinations will be available only to seniors at the clinic in October, the Andover Health Department encourages all residents to get their flu shots and will be offering a community-wide clinic in November. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

For more information on flu clinics offered by the Andover Health Department, residents can the hotline at 978-623-8347.

###