Free Flu Vaccines Available This Saturday

The Lexington Health Department is offering residents a chance to beat the flu this year. 

Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccines will be available for Lexington residents at Cary Hall on Saturday, October 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a release from Health Director Gerard Cody states. The influenza vaccine will be available as an injection (shot) or by intranasal mist or nasal spray (“Flumist”). 

As in the past, Pneumococcal vaccine will also be offered and it is recommended for those adults over 65 years of age, and those adults with a chronic illness. 

“The current recommendation from CDC is that if you have received the pneumonia vaccine after age sixty-five, you will not need to be revaccinated," said Cody.

All vaccines will be provided at the upcoming clinic free of charge to Lexington residents on a first-come, first-serve basis. Although insurance is not required to get vaccinated at the clinic, residents are asked to bring their health insurance cards, as the town can be reimbursed for administering vaccine at no cost to the resident. 

Lexington residents three years and older are eligible to be vaccinated at the flu clinics as long as supplies last.  

“Influenza is unpredictable, and we don’t yet know how severe of a flu season this year will be," Cody said. "The CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine. However, public clinics typically only vaccinate those residents who are three years of age and older.  Vaccination is the single most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu - especially if you or someone you care about has a chronic health condition like asthma.” 

Upon arrival at Cary Hall

In an effort to keep families together, the town asks that adults with children aged three to 18 years old enter Cary Hall from the left front entrance (when facing Cary Hall from Massachusetts Ave) and bear to the left, not entering the auditorium, but the hallway beyond it to pick up forms for registration.

After your registration form has been reviewed by a greeter, you will continue down the hallway and enter the auditorium. You will then be directed by a Medical Reserve Corp volunteer to your vaccination station.  There will be Town of Lexington Health Division staff and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers wearing white vests and identification badges to answer any of your questions.

New this year is an express lane for adults without children. After receiving and filling out their registration form, adults without children can walk through the lobby towards the right side of Cary Hall (when facing Cary Hall from Massachusetts Ave) and follow the instructions for the Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) volunteers. 

“Not all nurses can vaccinate children so in order to provide the best possible service, we would like to have these nurses focus on providing care to children,"  stated David Neylon, Pubic Health Nurse. "It would be great for adult residents who are not bringing children to the clinic to utilize the adult only line."  

For further information, contact the Office of Community Development, Health Division, Gerard Cody, Health Director at 781-862-0500 x 237. If you would like more information on the Flu and Flu Vaccine, please visit www.mass.gov/flu and www.flu.gov . To search for upcoming flu clinics in Lexington and elsewhere in Massachusetts, please visit www.mylocalclinic.com.