Get Your Shot Now: Community Board 10 Offering Free Flu Shots

IMG_3230Now is the time to get your flu shots. Yes, that means even if you are young and healthy or have children who are school aged.

I received my flu shot at a meeting for the North Bronx Health Network Community Advisory Board at North Central Bronx Hospital. The staff at both Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital are well prepared to provide the flu vaccine to all who come to the hospitals.

Chris Fugazy, Interim Executive Director for Jacobi Medical Center and Gregory Calliste, Interim Director for North Central Bronx Hospital Center have been informing the public about obtaining the flu shots as a priority.

As the flu season is about to begin all Bronxites are urged to obtain their flu shots. Getting the flu can be more than just an inconvenience. It can be fatal.

The New York City Department of Health and the NYC Health and Hospital Corporation recommends that all people 6 months and older are recommended to receive an influenza vaccination each year. Depending on vaccine type available to you, 2015-2016 vaccine will protect against either three or four different influenza viruses.

For the 2014–15 influenza season, as of May 23, 2015, a total of 141 laboratory-confirmed, influenza-associated pediatric deaths had been reported from 40 states and New York City.

The deaths occurred in:
-14 children aged 6 months
-23 were between 6-23 months
-22 were aged 2-4 years
-45 were aged 5-11 years
-37 were aged 12-17 years

The mean median ages were, respectively, 7.2 and 5.9 years. Since influenza-associated pediatric mortality became a nationally notifiable condition in 2004, the total number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths had previously ranged from 34 to 171 per season; this excludes the 2009 pandemic, when 358 pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during April 15, 2009–October 2, 2010.

Certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications from seasonal influenza. These include people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.

IMG_9553Now is best time to get vaccinated as as the vaccine is now available. You can still get a flu shot or the flu spray vaccine through the fall, winter or spring, since flu season usually peaks in February but continues through May. Individuals who lack health insurance should contact their county health department to inquire about flu vaccine clinics.

Many NYC agencies, governmental entities, pharmacies, and other health providers will provide flu shots free of charge. This year Community Board 10 are partnering up with Walgreens, located at 3085 East Tremont Avenue to provide flu shot to community members. The flu shots will be administered at the office of Community Board #10 located at 3165 East Tremont Avenue. Shots will be available on October 21st from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM.

Ken Kearns, District Manager of Community Board #10 said, “We commend Walgreens for this community service. “Chairman of Community Board 10, Martin Prince said, “We at CB 10 are extremely grateful to partner with our commercial neighbor Walgreens to offer this benefit to our community. Particularly the seniors and youngsters at this time when there is a need for increased viral protection following the recent outbreaks in our community.We thank Walgreen’s for this much needed assistance”

Print Friendly, PDF & Email