Influenza Information & Clinics

Friendly URL: www.newtonma.gov/flu

The Health & Human Services Department has completed its public flu clinics for the year and is not planning to schedule additional clinics this flu season. If you are still looking for flu vaccine, please contact your primary health care provider or try a local pharmacy.

General

• Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that can lead to serious complications, hospitalization, or even death. Anyone can get the flu, and getting a flu vaccine is the single best way to protect yourself and your family. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to friends and loved ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu vaccine every year for everyone over the age of 6 months.
• While flu activity usually peaks in January or February, the flu itself is unpredictable. The flu vaccine, however, is safe, effective, and widely available. Most people are protected from the three types of flu in the vaccine within two weeks of vaccination.
• There are many places to get a flu vaccine including your primary health care provider, local pharmacies, or a City of Newton flu clinic.  Please read below for dates & forms.

Schools

• Flu vaccine was offered at all Newton Public Schools in Fall 2012 to students in Kindergarten through grade 12. All clinics are now complete.
• If you need a copy of the vaccination record, please contact the school nurse at your child's school.
  

Community

• Two public flu clinics were held in October and November. If you missed them, please contact your health care provider or a local pharmacy.

How To Stay Healthy

In addition to getting a flu vaccine follow these stay healthy tips!

• Wash your hands often, learn more about the benefits of frequent handwashing.
• Avoid others who are sick
• Stay home if you are sick
• Cough into your arm bent at the elbow instead of into your hands

What To Do if You Get Sick

• Cold vs. Flu: How to Tell the Difference (PDF)
• Flu Symptoms Checklist (PDF)
• Flu: What You Can Do, Caring for People at Home (PDF)

Other Flu Resources

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

School-based Flu Program Resources for Colleagues

• Link to July 24, 2012 Webinar, Vaccinating a Community: A Collaboration of Public Health and School Health http://www.maphn.org/nea2012
• To avoid confusion during flu season, we have removed the sample forms for colleagues. Please contact tkett@newtonma.gov for them to be sent by email.