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Influenza

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Beverly Hospital to Hold Public Walk-In Flu Clinic

Limited supply flu vaccine clinic open to public on Sunday, Jan. 20, from 9 a.m. til noon.

In response to the recent rise in the number of influenza cases, Beverly Hospital, a member of Lahey Health, is running a limited supply flu vaccine clinic on Sunday, Jan. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon. The flu clinic will be held in the main entrance of Beverly Hospital. The clinic is open to members of the public ages 18-64. You do not need to be a Beverly Hospital patient to receive a flu vaccine. Following are some helpful tips to consider before attending the flu clinic: Due to a limited supply of flu vaccine we will only be administering 200 shots. Courtesy of Lahey Health.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

North Shore Hospitals Taking Extra Flu Precautions With Patient Visits

At some facilities, visitors are encouraged to postpone visits if they have the flu or flu-like symptoms, while others are prohibiting visits from people who are sick or under 18 (unless they're a sibling).

UPDATE: Salem's North Shore Medical Center also has signs posted throughout the hospital requesting that visitors with flu-like symptoms wear medical masks and reminding everyone, including hospital staffers, to diligently wash their hands and avoid touching their faces. Visitors to the hospital's OB and Special Care offices who are feeling under the weather are being asked to postpone their visits. ... Lahey Clinic, along with other hospitals and medical centers in Massachusetts, is taking some precautionary measures now to help minimize the spread of the flu to its patients and staff. "We are encouraging visitors to postpone their visit if they have flu or flu-like illness, or otherwise please wear a mask during their visit," said …

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

No Mad Dash for Flu Shots in Peabody

Health officials say still plenty of flu vaccine available in the area between pharmacies and doctors' offices.

The flu may be spreading across the nation in a serious outbreak, but there still doesn't seem to be too much worry about it in Peabody. "There's still a lot of vaccine out there," explains Peabody Health Director Sharon Cameron, and unlike in Boston, there's been no mad dash here to local pharmacies that she's aware of. A trip over to the CVS on Main Street Monday afternoon appeared to confirm that -- signs were prominently displayed for walk-in flu shots, but no one was waiting for one at the pharmacy. Cameron noted the store staff was announcing the availability of flu shots to customers when she was in another CVS recently. Cameron says there is no shortage of vaccine on the North Shore between pharmacies and doctors' offices and that'…

Kristin Caf

12:46 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

That's interesting... when I was at the CVS on Lynnfield Street Friday night, they not only were out of one of the types of vaccines, but there was a woman in line who was absolutely adamant (and panicking) about needing to get a flu shot right then and there and did not care if her health insurance covered the cost of the vaccination or not.   more ›

Friday, January 11, 2013

City's Supply of Flu Shots Exhausted, But No Shortage in Peabody Area

Local pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens stores, and doctors' offices still have flu vaccinations available for anyone who needs a shot.

The Peabody Health Department announced Thursday that it still had a limited supply of seasonal flu vaccinations available to residents for free and it wasn't long before that cache was exhausted. Friday morning, the Health Department posted an update on the city website, notifying residents they would have look elsewhere for flu shots. The notice also stresses that there is not an overall shortage of the vaccine in the Peabody area. "Although the Peabody Health Department has already distributed all of its flu vaccine, there is NOT a vaccine shortage in this area. Vaccine is available through most local pharmacies and doctors’ offices," reads the notice. You can find more information on where to get a flu shot locally here, and you can …

Saber Walsh

6:37 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013

For your kids only MDs and RNs are licensed to give vaccinations -- don't bring Sally and Dick to a pharmacist if the are under 18. Baaaad flu season -- keep washing those hands!!   more ›

Peabody Health Dept Offers Free Flu Shots While Supplies Last

Vaccines will be available to Peabody residents ages 10 and older by appointment only.

Public health director Sharon Cameron announced Thursday that the Peabody Health Department would be offering free flu shots to residents age 10 and up while vaccine supplies are available. Vaccinations will be by appointment only. You can call 978-538-5926 to schedule an appointment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges everyone who is six months and older to get vaccinated each year -- and particularly now amid a widespread outbreak -- as their best defense against the seasonal flu virus.  The CDC says this year's influenza vaccine provides protection against Influenza A/H1N1, Influenza A/H3N2 and Influenza B. Health officials say residents should also take simple preventative measures during flu season, such as washing …

Friday, December 14, 2012

CDC Says the Season is Here: Where to Get Flu Shots in Peabody

Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were lower in the Boston area than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Peabody-specific data is not available on Flu Trends.) Overall in Massachusetts, activity is considered high now, while it was considered in the moderate range at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in Peabody that offer the vaccine (besides your own doctor, of course): More locations (also check with the Peabody Health Department, which periodically offers free flu vaccinations According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country.  Five …

Friday, October 5, 2012

You Ask...Patch Answers

Get a Free Flu Shot From the Health Department

As flu season approaches, health officials urge everyone to get an influenza vaccination as the best means of defense.

The Peabody Health Department has free flu shots available to residents 18 and older while supplies last. If you'd like to schedule an appointment to get a free vaccination, call the Health Department at 978-538-5926 to schedule an appointment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months and older get a flu shot each year, saying it is the best protection against the flu. This influenza vaccine provides protection against Influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu) as well as Influenza A/H3N2 and Influenza B, according to health officials. “Although the amount of flu-like illness in Massachusetts is low right now, it’s important to remember that inmost years, flu season doesn’t peak until January or February. This means …

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