Hundreds Inoculated During Flu Shot Clinic

At Senior Center

Hundreds of people filed through the Newtown Senior Center on Tuesday, October 10, to receive flu shots administered by nurses of Danbury Visiting Nurses Association. In just two hours, 300 members of the community who had preregistered for the shots were greeted, assisted with Medicare and insurance issues, given the shot, and sent on their way.

The flu vaccine clinic was the first of two scheduled at the center this month, said director Marilyn Place. The second clinic will be held on October 31, from 10 am to noon. The clinic is limited to 300 people, so appointments are necessary, said Ms Place.

“There is not a shortage [of the vaccine]. People should not hesitate to call for an appointment,” she said. Medicare recipients must bring their Medicare Part B insurance card with them to the flu clinic. Call the center at 270-4310 for an appointment.

For those who wish to receive a flu shot, but are unable to attend the October 31 clinic, the Newtown Health District and the Visiting Nurses Association of Newtown will provide flu shot clinics on Thursday, November 2, from 10 am to noon, at the town offices at 31 Peck’s Lane; on Saturday, November 4 from 9 am until noon, at Newtown High School; and again at the town offices on Peck’s Lane on Thursday, November 9, from 1 to 3 pm. Health insurances accepted at these clinics are Medicare Part B and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The fee for a shot without insurance is $30 for non-Newtown residents and $15 for Newtown residents. The Newtown VNA and Health District will subsidize residents of Newtown who cannot afford the fee.

Appointments are not needed for the November flu shot clinics.

Danbury VNA will be back in Newtown this weekend, sponsoring a flu shot clinic at the new branch office of Washington Mutual Bank, 259 South Main Street (opposite Sand Hill Plaza).

Costs for these flu shots is $33 if no health insurance. Anyone with Medicare Part B, Anthem, HealthNet, ConnectiCare, or Oxford should have their insurance card with them; show your card at the clinic, and there is no charge for the flu shot.