PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — People may be seeing mixed messaging regarding the value of vaccinations lately. With flu season getting underway, Northern Light AR Gould Hospital wants to remind people the impact getting a flu shot has on your own health and the health of those around you.
“Getting your flu shot each year is one of the easiest ways to protect your health. The vaccine not only lowers your chances of getting sick but also helps keep you from passing flu to your family, coworkers and community. For adults at higher risk, such as those with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems, the flu shot is especially important, offering an extra layer of protection against serious illness and hospitalization,” says Julie Tutt, RN, infection prevention specialist at AR Gould.
Flu shots are important for pediatric patients as well, according to Dr. Renee Fournier, one of the pediatricians at Northern Light Pediatrics in Presque Isle.
“Flu shots are crucial for pediatric patients because children, especially those under five, are at a higher risk of developing severe flu complications like hospitalization, and even death. In addition, there is increased risk of invasive strep infections with dire outcomes in children who get influenza,” explains Dr. Fournier. “Getting older children and family members vaccinated also protects infants less than 6 months of age that are not eligible to receive the vaccine. The annual vaccine reduces the risk and severity of illness.”
To help people get vaccinated against the flu, AR Gould will host both an adult and a pediatric flu shot clinic in October.
A drive-thru flu shot clinic for adults will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9-11 a.m. on the AR Gould Hospital campus on Academy Street. This clinic is intended for those age 18 or older, and high dose flu shots will be available for those age 65 or older. A pediatric flu shot clinic takes place in the Pediatric clinic on North Street on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9-11 a.m. Although this is intended for children between the ages of six months and 18 years old, adult vaccines will be available for any family members accompanying the children who desire to have one.
For both the adult and pediatric flu shot clinics, patients are asked to bring their insurance cards with them. Insurances will be billed as applicable, and there will be no expense to those being vaccinated.
Flu shots are also available through your primary care provider, at local retail pharmacies, and through flu shot clinics offered through other community organizations.
Tutt reminds people that in addition to flu vaccines it’s also important for people to wash their hands regularly and stay home when they are sick.
If someone has questions about whether getting a flu shot is right for them, they should contact their primary care provider to learn more.
