Flu Season Is Right Around the Corner, Schedule Your Flu Vaccinations

Flu season is right around the corner, and Montgomery County health officials are urging residents to schedule their flu vaccinations.

According to county health officials, vaccination is the best way to protect against illness during flu season.

The county’s vaccination clinics are slated to begin on Monday.

See the schedule, below:

• Monday, October 24, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Universities at Shady Grove, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville
  This clinic is for anyone six months of age and older. By appointment only. There is no charge for vaccinations (at this site only). Flu shots only will be available. There will be no FluMist. Paid visitor parking is available in the Traville Gateway Garage or Shady Grove Garage. The clinic is a partnership between Montgomery County Health and Human Services and the University of Maryland System.
• Monday, Oct. 31 and Monday, Nov. 4,  from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.) Germantown Health Center 12900 Middlebrook Road, 2nd floor, Germantown and the Silver Spring Health Center 8630 Fenton Street, 10th floor Silver Spring. No appointment necessary. For anyone 6 months of age and older. There will be a $20 fee for each flu shot payable by cash or credit card. Flu shots only will be available. There will be no FluMist. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under the age of 18.

In addition, there will be three flu shot clinics for healthy, school aged children (ages 3 to 18 years) by appointment only on Monday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

• Kennedy High School 1901 Randolph Road, Silver Spring
• Richard Montgomery High School 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville
• Seneca Valley High School 19401 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown

You can schedule your appointments on the County’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/flu or call 311.

County officials have also released some tips for good health habits to help stop the spread of germs and prevent illnesses like the flu.

Good health habits include:

• Always cover cough or sneeze with a tissue—then throw the tissue away. Or, cough or sneeze into the inside of the elbow.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. Alcohol hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) will help if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. These are places germs can enter the body easily.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
• Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of fever which include chills, headache, sore throat, cough, body aches, and vomiting or diarrhea.
• If you are sick, stay home from work, school or other public places until you are feeling well.

Flu vaccines have been updated for the 2016-2017 season. Get your yearly #flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible. #FightFlu

— CDC Flu (@CDCFlu) September 22, 2016

Help spread the word on how to #FightFlu by supporting our Thunderclap campaign: https://t.co/bZLZMxt9gt

— CDC Flu (@CDCFlu) September 23, 2016

CDC recommends ONLY injectable #flu vaccines this season. Get more 2016/17 flu season info: https://t.co/J8W4UgNlI8 #CDCPrep2016

— CDC Emergency (@CDCemergency) September 27, 2016

From @HubJHU: A user’s guide to the common cold – As cold and flu season approaches, the Johns Hopkins Health R… https://t.co/oXischXxyr

— Johns Hopkins U. (@JohnsHopkins) September 28, 2016

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