It’s the time of year when you start to hear the sounds of the season — sneeze, sneeze, cough, cough.
In order to quiet the sounds, Councilmember Leroy Comrie, in partnership with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, will offer community residents an opportunity to prepare for the winter months by receiving free flu shots on Thursday, December 4 at Comrie’s office, located at 113-43 Farmers Boulevard in St. Albans, from 2 to 4 p.m. The flu shots are available by appointment only and you must get your doctor’s permission first.
“I want to encourage Queens residents to stay healthy this winter by taking advantage of this opportunity that Visiting Nurse Service of New York is providing,” said Comrie. “The flu season typically runs from November to April and we all should encourage our family, friends and neighbors to get vaccinated.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. The “flu shot” is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. People who should get vaccinated each year are:
No one should be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. Especially the following individuals:
The Visiting Nurse Service of New York is the largest not-for-profit home health care organization in the country whose mission is to promote the health and well-being of patients and families by providing high-quality, cost-effective health care in the home and community. For more information, call 800-675-0391 or log on at www.vnny.org
To make an appointment to receive a free flu shot, RSVP with Comrie’s office by calling 718-776-3700.
