Free Walk-in Flu Clinic

The Newtown Health District will sponsor a free flu clinic from 8:30 am to 10:30 am at the Sandy Hook firehouse on Riverside Road on Thursday, October 28.

Free pneumonia vaccines also will be available for persons who have not had one in the past 10 years.

Persons who are over the age of 65 or who have a serious chronic illness are urged to receive both vaccines, as are other adults and children who have such chronic diseases as diabetes, leukemia and other cancers, heart disease, chronic lung or kidney disease, and severe chronic anemia. Health officials also recommend the vaccines for health care providers and for persons who live in households that include a person who has a chronic disease.

Most healthy adults and children do not need to receive the pneumonia vaccine, health officials said.

According to the State Department of Public Health (DPH), flu shots also are recommended for women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the peak of the influenza season, December through April. Pregnancy may increase the risk for serious medical complications of influenza.

This year’s flu shot contains three strains of the virus and is expected to provide immunity against the types of influenza that are most likely to occur this winter.

Matthew Carter, a DPH medical epidemiologist, said that for most people, including healthy youngsters and adults, flu is not a serious problem. Immunization, however, can increase the odds of avoiding the discomfort that accompanies the flu.

“Influenza virus infections occur every year in the United States,” he explained. “Persons with the disease usually experience a rapid onset of fever, chills, headache, and muscle ache followed by a runny nose, sore throat, and cough. While the cough is often severe and can last for many days, most persons with influenza recover within two to seven days.”

It can be different for the elderly and others with chronic diseases, he said.

“Some people get very sick with the flu because of their age or underlying health conditions. Complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus trouble and ear infections can occur,” he explained.

Appointments are not necessary for the flu clinic For more information, call the Health District office at  270-4291.