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SEASONAL FLU CLINICS
We also hold Seasonal Flu and Pneumonia Clinics in the fall and
winter in the communities of Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth
(including Prudence Island), Tiverton, Bristol, Barrington,
Warren, and Jamestown.
Click here to view the dates of our Seasonal Flu and
Pneumonia Clinics. Starting in early September, you can
find a Seasonal Flu Clinic site near you, by entering your zip
code in the box below. Volunteers are always welcome to assist
with our Seasonal Flu Clinics.
If you are looking for information on the H1N1 Swine flu, visit
the
RI DoH
Volunteers are always welcome
for the Flu Clinics.
Please check this site in early September to locate a Flu Clinic
site near you. For a complete list of our public clinics, enter your zip code into the box below.
FLU FACTS
Epidemics of influenza, commonly called flu, typically occur
during the winter months (December through March) and are
responsible for approximately 36,000 deaths a year in the United
States. The influenza viruses cause disease in all age groups.
Rates of infection are highest among children, but rates of
serious illness and death are highest among persons aged 65+ and
those with medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes,
or asthma. The primary method for preventing influenza and is
severe complications is the influenza vaccination.
Flu illness can begin as early as Thanksgiving but most often it
occurs in January or February. Once the flu shot is received,
the body needs two weeks to build the necessary antibodies to
protect against the flu. The flu vaccine cannot cause flu
disease. It contains inactivated or “dead” virus that creates
antibodies but not illness. Some people complain of a sore arm
at the injection site or some fatigue and a low grade fever for
a day or two.
Flu viruses are spread from person to person and flu symptoms
are fever, muscle aches, headache, severe fatigue, non
productive cough, sore throat. Extreme sinus congestion as with
a cold (rhinovirus) or vomiting and diarrhea with the ”stomach
flu” (enterovirus) are not usually associated with flu
(influenza). Adults having the highest risk for complications
with the flu are persons 65 and over, persons 50 and over who
have certain chronic illnesses or care for persons over 65,
pregnant women, persons of a any age with serious chronic
disease, and health care works (as they can transmit flu to
their high risk patients).
PNEUMONIA CLINICS
Pneumonia vaccine is available at some flu clinics. Please call
Deb Silvia 401-682-2100 x 470 to get more information.
Pneumonia vaccine is recommended for persons 65+ who have not
been previously immunized for pneumonia. Some doctors recommend
pneumonia immunization for their senior and chronically ill
patients every five years. The CDC also recommends pneumonia
immunizations for any adult aged 19 through 64 who is a smoker
or has asthma. If you are healthy, one vaccination may be all
you need. If your first pneumonia shot is received prior to your
reaching 65, it is recommended that a second shot be given after
turning 65, if at least five years has passed since the first
shot. Pneumonia vaccine and flu vaccine may be given at the same
time.
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