In this episode of A Moment with Marley, we are kicking off National Influenza Vaccination Week by reminding you that it is not too late to get your 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.

Our Public Health Clinic provides flu shots Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm. We will also be open until 6:00pm on December 9 and 30.

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 or if you have questions.