#Fairfield CT– The Fairfield Health Department wants you to be a Kung Flu Fighter! You too can fight the flu this flu season by taking 4 simple preventative steps. The Fairfield Health Department developed a video to help you become a Kung Flu Fighter. Be sure to check it out: https://youtu.be/V95kVL5zNoc. The single best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get vaccinated. It is recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the flu vaccine every year. It takes about 2 weeks after the receiving the flu vaccine for the body to develop protection against the flu virus so now is a good time to get protection for this flu season. The Health Department will host two flu clinics this season for adults and children age 5 and older. These clinics will be held on Tuesday, October 17 th from 10am-7pm and Wednesday, October 18 th from 11am-5pm. Both clinics will take place at the Bigelow Center for Senior Activities Gymnasium (100 Mona Terrace, Fairfield).
The flu vaccine will be available in injection form for people 5 years and older. High dose injectable vaccine will also be available for those ages 65 and over. As you get older the level of protection provided by the standard flu vaccine lessens, the high dose vaccine is made to provide an increased level of protection for those older than 65. The Pneumonia vaccine, Pneumovax 23, will also be available at these clinics. Medicare Part B, Connecticare, Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, and United HealthCare are all accepted and there is no co pay. Cash price for the flu vaccine is $30, the High Dose vaccine is $65 and the Pneumonia vaccine is $65.
For a quicker visit, patients can print out the vaccine consent form at fairfieldct.org/health and bring it completed. Patients should also have their insurance card with them and wear clothes that make it easy to expose the upper arm.
While visiting the flu clinic, you can also take care of your mind and body by receiving a free mental wellness checkup by the Southwest Regional Mental Health Board.
For questions about the flu vaccine, call your primary care physician. If you have questions about the flu clinics, please
contact the Public Health Nursing Office at 203-256- 3150.
