Medford Launching Flu Clinics In September

Alex Newman
·2 min read

MEDFORD, MA — The city will begin its annual flu clinics Sept. 17, the Board of Health announced this week. Due to the increased risk to people over the age of 65 posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the schedule will begin with a clinic available only to residents ages 65 and older, by appointment only.

General flu clinics will be available to Medford residents later this fall, including the possibility of a drive-up clinic, as vaccines are available to the city. To stay informed about flu clinic dates and other important City information, residents are reminded to sign up for City Alerts by visiting www.medfordma.org/alerts, or calling 781-393-2529.

The first clinic will be a clinic at the Medford Senior Center, with social distancing and other health and safety precautions in place, on Thursday, Sept. 17, for people 65 and older. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 781-396-6010 in advance.

During the Senior Center's flu vaccine clinic, health officials will maintain social distancing, require face coverings and take proper precautionary measures to ensure attendees stay safe and minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19.

The Board of Health is also working with local partners to determine future clinic dates for critical infrastructure, adults, teens, and children, including exploring various models such as Drive-Thru Dispensing and Mobile Teams to optimize safety and efficiency.

In addition to the City’s flu clinics, residents may visit a pharmacy, contact your PCP, or contact your child’s pediatrician to schedule a flu shot.

Tips for Preventing the Flu and Other Illnesses:

  • Get a vaccine. Vaccines are available through the city's flu clinics while supplies last, as well as through your Primary Care Physician or at local pharmacies.

  • If you feel sick, stay home.

  • Cover coughs and sneezes.

  • Practice good hygiene. Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, or if you do not have access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

  • Disinfect common surfaces and objects.

  • Practice social distancing, and wearing face coverings in public.

Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19.

Influenza (flu) is a serious disease that causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. Here's what to do if you or a loved one becomes sick with flu this season: https://go.usa.gov/xVn4texternal icon.

This article originally appeared on the Medford Patch