On Thursday, Nov. 13, a Flu vaccine clinic will be held at the Lexington Park Volunteer Fire Department, 46900 South Shangri-La Dr., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The clinic is open to al St. Mary’s County residents, ages three and up and is part of the health departments campaign to vaccinate those in need.
At the clinic, FluMist, a vaccine given by nasal spray is offered. The traditional injectable vaccine will be available. The department is also offering Pneumonia vaccines during the day. The health department is asking people to consider wearing long sleeves over short to the clinic for patient privacy and ease in administering the shot.
A recommended donation of $20 will be accepted, however, no one will be denied service due to inability to pay. Health department staff will also bill Medicare for participants who are eligible. For more information, please call the St. Mary’s County Health Department at (301) 475-4330.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.”
The CDC lists two types of vaccines: a “flu shot”— an inactivated vaccine that is injected by needle, usually in the arm. This type of vaccine is approved for use in people older than six months and is for both the health and those with chronic health problems.
The second type of vaccine is administered via nasal-spray. Unlike the flu shot that contains killed flu virus, the spray contains live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu, per say, but trigger the body’s immune system. The spray is recommended only for healthy individuals from the ages of two to 49. About two weeks after receiving the vaccination, antibodies begin to develop in the body to help fight the disease.
The CDC recommends a yearly flu as early as September each fall, or as soon the vaccine is available. Most flu season starts as Early in December and lasts past January.
Anyone wishing to lessen their chances of getting the should can be vaccinated. There are those who should make sure they receive the vaccinations every year: those who are either at high risk of having serious flu complications or who care for someone at high risk of dangerous infection.
There are some who should not be vaccinated without a physician’s recommendation: those with a severe allergy to chicken eggs, anyone who has had a severe reaction to a previous influenza vaccination, people who have developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of getting vaccinated, children less than 6 months of age and anyone who has a fever.
For more information, please call the St. Mary’s County Health Department at (301) 475-4330.