BERLIN – Health officials in Worcester County are encouraging residents to get a flu vaccination.
In an effort to serve all area residents, health officials at Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) and the Worcester County Health Department will host flu vaccination clinics at various times and locations through the month of October.
Nicole Morris, infection prevention employee health manager at AGH, said more than 1,000 people have already received a flu vaccine from the hospital’s annual community flu clinic, but she encouraged community members to take advantage of remaining clinics taking place in the coming week.
“We are hoping to give 3,800 vaccinations,” she said.
The hospital is expected to host two final flu clinics next week – one at Atlantic General Women’s Health in Selbyville on Oct. 24 from 1-4 p.m. and another at a health fair at Holy Savior Catholic Church in Ocean City on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – but Morris said the hospital will also partner with the Worcester County Health Department and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s pharmacy school to offer vaccinations near the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Department on election day, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“This year we are doing a Vote and Vax program and partnering with the health department and the UMES pharmacy school …,” she said.
Morris said the hospital and UMES pharmacy students will provide vaccinations to adults, while the health department will provide free vaccinations to those ages 18 and under.
“It’s another great way to capture people who are voting and haven’t gotten their flu vaccine yet,” she said.
Morris pointed out that many individuals wait until later in the season to get their flu shot, but she said that it often takes up to two weeks for antibodies that protect against the flu to develop.
Morris said newly reported flu cases, as well as the severity of last year’s flu season – during which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated more than 80,000 flu-related deaths – should encourage people to take extra precaution.
“We had flu cases all the way to May and I expect flu cases this year to be pretty significant as well,” she said.
Debra Stevens, director of community health for the Worcester County Health Department, said the health department is encouraging all residents age 6 months and older, including pregnant women and those with medical conditions, to be vaccinated.
“Seasonal flu is starting to circulate …,” she said, “so it’s not too soon or too late to get your vaccine.”
Stevens said the flu vaccine will be available for Worcester County residents at health department locations in Pocomoke, Snow Hill and Berlin. Community clinics will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Oct. 22, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, at the Pocomoke Health Center, Fridays, Oct. 26, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9, at the Berlin Health Center, and Fridays, Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 1, at the Snow Hill Health Department. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins will be accepted.
“Residents can also call to schedule an appointment if any of those times are not convenient for them,” she said.
The health department will also hold free flu vaccination clinics for all Worcester County students in grades pre-k through 12. The free clinics will offer FluMist and injectable vaccine on Oct. 19 at the Pocomoke and Snow Hill health center locations, Oct. 26 at the Berlin Health Center, and Nov. 5 at the Pocomoke, Berlin and Snow Hill health centers. All student clinics will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Stevens said this year’s vaccine protects against four different strains of the flu and added that the health department will be giving residents ages 65 and older the option to receive a stronger dosage of the flu shot.
“You should get a vaccine every year because the strains change,” she said.
Stevens also pointed out that getting a vaccination can reduce the chances of getting the flu by 40 to 60 percent, but said individuals can take additional measures to protect themselves from getting sick.
“The vaccine is your best protection, but there are other things you can do, including washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze,” she said.
Stevens and Morris added that anyone with the flu should stay home and see a doctor if symptoms do not improve.
“If you are sick, you want to avoid contact with other people,” Morris said. “Stay at home and keep your kids home from school if they are sick.”
For more information on the AGH community flu clinics, visit www.atlanticgeneral.org or call 410-641-9FLU (9358).
For more information on the health department’s community clinics, visit www.worcesterhealth.org or call 410-632-1100.