Flu season is coming and that means the season for flu shots is now. To help those 65 years of age and older arm themselves against the influenza virus, the North Carroll Senior and Community Center will hold a flu shot clinic from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, according to Center Manager Renee Deiaco. The vaccination will be available for free to those with insurance or Medicare and available for $25 to those without insurance.
The clinic is presented by Finksburg Pharmacy, according to Deiaco and is part of a combined seasonal flu vaccination effort involving other pharmacies, private physicians and the Carroll County Health Department that began with a similar senior flu shot clinic in Mount Airy on Oct. 6. Following the clinic at the North Carroll Senior Center on Tuesday, there will be another held at the Westminster Senior Center on Oct. 23 and then another at the Taneytown Senior Center on Oct. 28.
The height of flu season, when the virus is at its peak and making many people sick, generally does not come until January or later, according to Dr. Henry Taylor, Deputy Health Officer at the Carroll County Health Department, but vaccination efforts generally begin in October to ensure people are protected by the time the flu begins making its rounds in the community.
"You want to get the shot approximately one month before flu season actually starts because you start to get protection within seven to 10 days after the shot," Taylor said. "You want to get the shot late enough so that you have protection in the spring if we have a late flu season ... It takes about a month to become protected and then you have about five months of peak protection. If you get the shot now, you will be protected."
Reach staff writer Jon Kelvey at 410-857-3317 or jon.kelvey@carrollcountytimes.com.
If you go
What: Senior flu shot clinic
When: 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Oct. 21
Where: The North Carroll Senior and Community Center, 2328 Hanover Pike, Hampstead
Cost: Free to those with insurance or Medicare, $25 for those paying cash
Additional senior flu clinics will be held at the Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Avenue, Westminster from 9 a.m.-noon on Oct. 23 and the Taneytown Senior and Community Center, 220 Roberts Mill Road., Taneytown, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on Oct. 28.
For more information on flu shots, contact your physician, pharmacy or call the Carroll County Health Department at 410-876-2152.