GREENWICH — Whereas individuals stay targeted on COVID-19, the city has issued a reminder that flu season is beneath approach.
With that in thoughts, the city will likely be holding a number of influenza vaccination clinics in October.
“Getting your annual flu vaccine is one of the best, simplest factor you are able to do to maintain from getting the flu, and from spreading it to household, buddies, neighbors and associates,” city Director of Well being Caroline Baisley stated. “Many individuals at larger danger from flu additionally appear to be at larger danger from COVID-19. If you’re at excessive danger, get a flu vaccine this 12 months.”
Clincs are set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 7; 2 to five p.m. Oct. 18 and Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 27 at City Corridor and 11 a.m. to three p.m. Oct. 13at Japanese Greenwich Civic Heart.
There could possibly be some gentle signs, together with like achy muscle mass or a low-grade fever, as a response to the shot.
“The well being consultants say that there could possibly be a possible drawback with influenza as a result of most individuals weren’t uncovered to the influenza final 12 months as a result of they had been carrying masks as a result of COVID,” Baisley stated. “Final flu season we had been on the top of the third wave of the pandemic so we hardly had any influenza circumstances all through the US.
“In consequence, some well being scientists really feel it may result in extra publicity now as a result of persons are carrying much less masks and so they didn’t construct up any immunity to the viruses that we usually get uncovered to in the course of the influenza season,” she stated.
The price of the photographs will likely be coated by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Defend, Conventional Medicare Half B, Medicare Benefit or United Healthcare/Oxford. In any other case, there will likely be a $35 payment for the vaccine and $65 for the excessive dose vaccine, which is beneficial for seniors. Persons are requested to carry their insurance coverage playing cards with them.
As well as, there will likely be pneumonia PPSV23 and PCV13 vaccines out there for $117 and $195 respectively.
Bank cards is not going to be accepted for the charges. Individuals can both herald checks made out to the City of Greenwich or money. Masks will likely be required; persons are suggested to put on quick sleeves and arrive no sooner than quarter-hour earlier than the opening of the clinics.
It’s potential for individuals to have each the flu and COVID-19 on the similar time, Baisley stated. With the Delta variant of COVID-19 nonetheless a giant drawback, persons are being urged to get vaccinated for each COVID-19 and the flu, because the flu vaccine shouldn’t be efficient in opposition to COVID-19.
COVID-19 booster photographs is not going to be provided on the influenza clinics.
The federal Heart for Illness Management recommends the flu vaccine for individuals who 6 months or older. Adults older than 65 are notably suggested to get the shot, as are individuals with underlying power medical situations like bronchial asthma, most cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, neurological, liver or kidney problems, these immunosuppression problems that require frequent or ongoing medical administration, individuals who have suffered a stroke or pregnant ladies and people post-partum.
Additionally beneficial are healthcare employees and residents in long run care services and nursing properties. People who find themselves thought of morbidly overweight are additionally high-risk and are urged to be vaccinated in opposition to the flu.
The CDC has additionally beneficial the shot particularly for Hispanic and Latino individuals, non-Hispanic Black individuals, American Indians and Alaska Natives.
The CDC doesn’t advocate the flu shot for these with a extreme allergy to eggs or different elements of the shot or have had dangerous reactions to previous flue vaccines.
Individuals who have average or extreme diseases with fever ought to wait till their signs have lessened earlier than they get their vaccine. And those that both have or suspect they could have COVID-19 are additionally being requested to defer their vaccination till their isolation durations finish.
Extra details about the city’s flu response and the clinics may be discovered by calling a city hotline at 203-622-3774 or on-line at www.greenwichct.gov/
