As flu season intensifies here in Connecticut, the Norwalk Health Department urges you to get your flu shot and protect yourself and your family against the flu. The vaccine protects against seasonal and H1N1 flu, and everyone older than 6 months is encouraged to be vaccinated. In addition to getting your flu shot, you can take other steps to stay healthy this year:
- Wash your hands regularly. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Seek care early. See your healthcare provider immediately if you develop flu symptoms. Antiviral medications can help if taken early in the illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
If you haven’t yet received a flu shot, you can get your flu vaccine at the Health Department this Thursday (January 18) from 2 – 4 pm or on Tuesdays, 1 – 3 pm, while supplies last. No appointment is necessary. Flu shots at the Health Department are free if you have Medicare Part B, Medicaid, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, ConnectiCare, and United. Please bring all your insurance cards with you. Otherwise, standard flu shots cost $25 per person, and high-dose shots (an option for patients 65 and older) cost $50.
Anyone can get the flu, but some people are especially urged to protect themselves from the flu because they are at increased risk for serious flu-related complications, including those people with certain medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease), people 65 years and older, pregnant women, young children, and anyone who lives with or cares for these higher risk individuals.
If you have a question about the flu or the flu vaccine, call your physician. For other questions about getting your flu shot, please call the Norwalk Health Department at 203-854-7776.
About the Norwalk Department of Health: Under the direction of the mayor, and with valuable guidance from its six-member Board of Health, the Norwalk Health Department provides a variety of services and programs to fulfill its mission: to prevent and control the spread of disease, promote a healthy environment, and protect the quality of life within its changing community. The Health Department achieved accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in June 2014, demonstrating that it meets or exceeds national public health standards and commits to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers. The Immunization Action Plan Program at the Health Department remains diligent in its aim to increase the immunization status of the children younger than 2 years old through its education, outreach and tracking efforts with area physicians and families, and it has broadened its scope to include initiatives to immunize adolescent and adult populations, including influenza vaccinations. More information is available at norwalkhealth.com.