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.