In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about a common question we get in our Public Health Clinic about flu shots. 

One common question from parents and caregivers is “Why is the flu shot required for children 6 months and over who attend daycare, preschool, or other childcare program but not children in K-12 school”? 

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are reminding you to get your flu shot before your Thanksgiving gatherings! 

It is not too late to get your flu shot. The week of November 3 is the perfect time to get your flu shot as it take up to two weeks to take full effect. Flu viruses usually begin circulating in communities in late fall and early winter, and activity often spikes around the holidays when people are gathering indoors and traveling. Here in Meriden we are starting to see influenza activity.

Getting vaccinated before a major gatherings like Thanksgiving helps you protect yourself and loved ones, including those at higher risk of serious illness such as individuals 65 years and older, people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, pregnant women and children younger than 5 years old.

As your local health department, we recommend vaccination against the flu for both adults and children. If you still need to get your seasonal flu shot - we’ve got you covered!

Make an appointment today to visit our Public Health Clinic at 165 Miller Street for your flu shot. Flu shots are free for Meriden residents ages 18 and younger regardless of health insurance status. For adults, the cost of the flu shot is $20; we also have FluBlok available for $40. Cash and check are accepted. We accept Connecticare, Cigna, Aetna, and other select health insurance plans. Call us at (203) 630-4234.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are wrapping up our last week of Flu Fact Friday, where, for the month of October, we have been providing weekly information about seasonal influenza.

It’s October 31 - Happy Halloween! Say boo to the flu this year by getting your flu shot! This week we want to emphasize the important of getting your seasonal flu shot. 

The Connecticut Department of Public Health – and our office - recommends that everyone 6 months and older get their annual flu shot. 

Flu vaccination has important benefits. It can reduce flu illnesses, visits to doctor's offices, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as make symptoms less severe and reduce flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.

Anyone can get flu (including healthy people), and serious problems related to flu can happen at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), those who are pregnant, and children younger than five years of age.

While getting your flu shot by the end of October is ideal, our office provides the adult and child flu vaccine well into the winter. Flu shots are free for Meriden residents ages 18 and younger regardless of health insurance status. The cost of the flu shot is $20; we also have FluBlok available for $40. Cash and check are accepted. We accept Connecticare, Cigna, Aetna, and other select health insurance plans. Call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234 to make your appointment.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we would like to talk about a common myth that the flu is just a bad cold.

MYTH: The flu is just a really bad cold.

FACT: False! In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are typically more intense and begin more abruptly.

While the flu and the common cold are both contagious respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. And because flu and the common cold have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose than people who have flu. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

Flu can have serious associated complications, such as pneumonia or inflammation of the heart. Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu, and people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu.

Anyone can get sick with the flu, even healthy people and serious complications related to the flu can happen to anyone at any age, but some people are at higher risk. This includes individuals 65 years and older, people with certain chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant women and children younger than 5 years old.

As your local health department, we recommend vaccination against the flu for both adults and children. If you still need to get your seasonal flu shot - we’ve got you covered! Our Public Health Clinic at 165 Miller Street offers both the adult and child flu shot. Call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234 to make your appointment.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about preventative steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones this fall and winter again respiratory viruses such as the flu, RSV, and COVID-19.

Core prevention strategies include things like:

Additional prevention strategies include:

This information and more can be found on our Respiratory Virus Information Webpage found at www.meridenhealth.com. Thank you Meriden, and stay healthy!

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we welcome you to our second week of flu fact Friday, where, for the month of October, we will be providing weekly information about seasonal influenza.

This week we are talking about why it is important to get a flu shot every year.

Each year public health monitors strains of influenza to see which ones are going to dominate during flu season. Since flu starts in the southern hemisphere, those in the northern hemisphere look there to see which of the strains are causing the most illness or severe symptoms. We then try to make sure that formulas for that flu season has the right mix.

Because of this, the flu vaccine does not give lifetime protection but about a season’s worth. 

This is why it is important to get your flu shot every year, as the strains of flu change and the vaccine is based on the most commonly seen strains.

Your body's immunity from the vaccine also decreases over time, so annual vaccination is the best way to stay protected.

Do you still need to get your seasonal flu shot? We’ve got you covered! Our Public Health Clinic at 165 Miller Street offers both the adult and child flu shot. Call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234 to make your appointment.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, the Meriden Department of Health and Human Services is here to remind you that properly washing your hands can help prevent the spread of germs and keep you healthy.

Every day we touch HUNDREDS of surfaces including door handles, phones, keyboards, countertops, and more. By touching these common surfaces and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth you are potentially exposing yourself to germs.

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

Follow these simple steps for effective handwashing:

If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.

By washing your hands frequently you are not just protecting yourself – you are also protecting everyone around you by preventing the transmission of germs. Thank you Meriden – stay healthy!

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are kicking off our Flu Fact Friday series, where, for the month of October, we will be providing weekly information about seasonal influenza.

This week we will talk about a common myth about the seasonal flu shot.

MYTH: The seasonal flu shot can give you the flu.  

FACT: No, the flu vaccine can't give you the flu. And, the flu vaccine does not make you more likely to get another respiratory infection based on available evidence.

But, you might develop flu-like symptoms — despite getting a flu vaccine — for many reasons, including:

For almost everyone, a flu vaccine can lower the risk of the flu and its complications. Do you still need to get your seasonal flu shot? We’ve got you covered! Our Public Health Clinic at 165 Miller Street offers both the adult and child flu shot. Call our Public Health Clinic at (203) 630-4234 to make your appointment.

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are talking about our upcoming Teddy Bear Clinics! 

At these clinics Meriden children ages 3 and up will learn how to keep their favorite stuffed animal (and themselves) healthy. Children around this age learn and express themselves through play, so letting them take the lead on giving their stuffed animal a checkup may help ease some anxiety when it comes time for them to go to the doctor’s themselves.

At the clinic, each child will receive a medical play kit and Marley the Meriden Lion stuffed animal. Parent and caregivers will receive information and resources on childhood vaccines and city services at these events.

Two clinics will be held - October 30 and November 14. Both will be from 10:00 to 11:30am at the Meriden Public Library’s Children Section. The library is located at 105 Miller Street. Clinic stations will be led by Southern Connecticut State University’s School of Nursing students.

Space is limited to 25 children per clinic. To register, please call our Public Health Educator at (203) 630-4288. Must be a Meriden resident to register.

Also, don’t forget BYOB – bring your own bear (or favorite stuffed animal!).

In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are reviewing the symptoms of influenza, commonly called the flu, and some prevention steps to avoid getting sick. 

Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. For flu, it is recommended that people stay home, for at least 24 hours, until both are true: your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)

Take other preventive actions in addition to vaccination that may help reduce the spread of viruses like flu.

For more information, visit our respiratory virus webpage at www.meridenhealth.com.