BERLIN–Frequent hand washing and avoiding close contact with those who are sick certainly helps, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to prevent the flu is getting a flu vaccine each year.
As a service to our community’s health, Atlantic General Hospital/Health System is again providing flu shot clinics free to the community. Individuals must be at least 13 years old to receive the vaccine at one of the free clinics.
This year, the hospital and health system has scheduled the clinics as follows:
• Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 a.m. to noon at the health fair at Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway Ocean Pines, Md. 21811
• Tuesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Taylor Bank (Snow Hill Branch), 108 West Market St. Snow Hill, Md. 21863
• Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2-6 p.m., Atlantic General Hospital Free Flu Clinic (Use Emergency Room entrance), 9733 Healthway Dr. Berlin, Md. 21811
• Thursday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brandywine Senior Living at Fenwick Island, 21111 Arrington Dr. Selbyville, Del. 19975
• Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2-6 p.m., Atlantic General Hospital Free Flu Clinic – lobby, 9733 Healthway Dr. Berlin, Md. 21811
• Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to noon, Dr. Barbara Socha’s office, 96 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 103, Ocean View, Del. 19970. Ages 18 and older only.
• Monday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Holy Savior Catholic Church, 1705 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, Md. 21842
• Wednesday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Townsend Medical Center, 1001 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, Md. 21842
• Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2-6 p.m., Atlantic General Hospital Free Flu Clinic – lobby, 9733 Healthway Dr. Berlin, Md. 21811
Influenza and complications resulting from the virus kill an estimated 20,000 people each year, according to the CDC. Although rates of influenza vaccinations have increased in recent years, health surveys indicate that less than half of the high-risk population receives a yearly vaccine.
Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious virus spread by inhaling droplets from an infected individual’s cough or sneeze. Most symptoms emerge within 24 to 48 hours and are characterized by fever, chills, sore throat, cough and headache. Just one infected person can unknowingly pass on the flu to family members and loved ones because the virus can be transmitted 24 hours before symptoms appear. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.
Those at an increased risk for influenza related complications:
•Persons 65 years and older
•Nursing home residents and other chronic care facilities
adults and children with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including children with asthma
•People with metabolic diseases such as diabetes those with blood diseases like sickle cell anemia, or impaired immunity
The vaccine is usually given before the flu season. Since flu viruses mutate often, vaccines should be repeated each year. The vaccine is made from eggs. If you are allergic to eggs, consult with your health care provider.
Seasonal flu vaccines will be available at Atlantic General Health Systems’ provider offices.
Contact them to schedule an appointment. For more information on the Atlantic General Hospital Free Flu Shot Clinics, contact Atlantic General Hospital at 410-641-9FLU (9358).
As a service to our community’s health, Atlantic General Hospital/Health System is again providing flu shot clinics free to the community. Individuals must be at least 13 years old to receive the vaccine at one of the free clinics.
This year, the hospital and health system has scheduled the clinics as follows:
• Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 a.m. to noon at the health fair at Ocean Pines Community Center, 235 Ocean Parkway Ocean Pines, Md. 21811
• Tuesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Taylor Bank (Snow Hill Branch), 108 West Market St. Snow Hill, Md. 21863
• Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2-6 p.m., Atlantic General Hospital Free Flu Clinic (Use Emergency Room entrance), 9733 Healthway Dr. Berlin, Md. 21811
• Thursday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brandywine Senior Living at Fenwick Island, 21111 Arrington Dr. Selbyville, Del. 19975
• Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2-6 p.m., Atlantic General Hospital Free Flu Clinic – lobby, 9733 Healthway Dr. Berlin, Md. 21811
• Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to noon, Dr. Barbara Socha’s office, 96 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 103, Ocean View, Del. 19970. Ages 18 and older only.
• Monday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Holy Savior Catholic Church, 1705 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, Md. 21842
• Wednesday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Townsend Medical Center, 1001 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, Md. 21842
• Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2-6 p.m., Atlantic General Hospital Free Flu Clinic – lobby, 9733 Healthway Dr. Berlin, Md. 21811
Influenza and complications resulting from the virus kill an estimated 20,000 people each year, according to the CDC. Although rates of influenza vaccinations have increased in recent years, health surveys indicate that less than half of the high-risk population receives a yearly vaccine.
Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious virus spread by inhaling droplets from an infected individual’s cough or sneeze. Most symptoms emerge within 24 to 48 hours and are characterized by fever, chills, sore throat, cough and headache. Just one infected person can unknowingly pass on the flu to family members and loved ones because the virus can be transmitted 24 hours before symptoms appear. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.
Those at an increased risk for influenza related complications:
•Persons 65 years and older
•Nursing home residents and other chronic care facilities
adults and children with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including children with asthma
•People with metabolic diseases such as diabetes those with blood diseases like sickle cell anemia, or impaired immunity
The vaccine is usually given before the flu season. Since flu viruses mutate often, vaccines should be repeated each year. The vaccine is made from eggs. If you are allergic to eggs, consult with your health care provider.
Seasonal flu vaccines will be available at Atlantic General Health Systems’ provider offices.
Contact them to schedule an appointment. For more information on the Atlantic General Hospital Free Flu Shot Clinics, contact Atlantic General Hospital at 410-641-9FLU (9358).