Montgomery County Health officials today urged residents to get their annual seasonal flu vaccination now. Vaccination is the best way to protect against illness during flu season.  Seasonal flu is a separate virus that will also be circulating in the fall and can cause serious illness.

Seasonal flu vaccinations will be readily available through private health providers, as well as at retail locations throughout the community. County seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be held beginning in late October.  Check the County’s flu website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/h1n1flu for information on flu vaccination.  Anyone not wanting to get the flu should receive the seasonal flu vaccination, particularly the elderly, household members living with children younger than six months of age, health care workers and individuals with chronic illnesses.

THERE WILL BE NO H1N1 VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE AT THE SEASONAL FLU CLINICS LISTED BELOW:

October 31, 2009
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Silver Spring Health Center
8630 Fenton Street, 10th floor
Silver Spring, MD

November 5, 2009
8:30 am – 12 noon
Germantown Recreational Center
18905 Kingsview Road
Germantown, MD
240-777-3380

November 12, 2009
4 - 7 pm
University of Maryland Shady Grove
9630 Gudelsky Drive, Building II
Rockville, MD

The cost for the flu vaccination is $20 per person. Vaccines for children are free. Individuals with Medicare should bring their Medicare card. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under the age of 18.

• Maxim Healthcare Services offers seasonal flu vaccine at locations in Montgomery County. To find the nearest vaccination site go to www.findaflushot.com

• Passport Health provides vaccinations for children and adults 6 months of age and older. Contact Passport at 301-408-4544 or go to www.passporthealthmetro.com

• Adventist Healthcare provides vaccinations for adults 18 years of age and older. www.adventisthealthcare.com/health/calendar

• Other resources include:

www.medstarhealthvna.org

www.minuteclinic.com

www.walgreens.com

www.WashingtonTravelClinic.com

The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits can often help stop the spread of germs and prevent illnesses like the flu. Good health habits include:

o Always cover cough or sneeze with a tissue—then throw the tissue away. Or, cough or sneeze into the inside of the elbow.

o Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. Alcohol hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) will do if soap and water are not available.

o Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. These are places germs can enter the body easily.

o Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.

o Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, body aches, and vomiting or diarrhea.

o If you are sick, stay home from work, school or other public places until you are feeling well.

Check the County’s flu website— www.montgomerycountymd.gov/h1n1flu - frequently for updated information and resources.