| STAMFORD, CT - September 22, 2009 For the eleventh consecutive year, the City of Stamford Department of Health & Social Services and Stamford Hospital are working together to help area residents "Fight The Flu" with the seasonal flu vaccine.
The "Fight the Flu" campaign begins Tuesday, September 22 with flu vaccine available at The Tully Health Center and Stamford Government Center. Flu shots cost $30. The CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.
Seasonal flu immunization is strongly recommended for people 50 years and older; adults and children with heart disease, lung disease, disorders of the immune system, and other chronic conditions; women who will be pregnant during the flu season; children aged 6 months to 18 years; and those in close contact with people at high risk for the complications of the flu, including children less than six months of age. In addition, all health care workers and residents of nursing homes and other long-term facilities should be vaccinated.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times death. Each year in the United States, between five and 20 percent of the population is infected with influenza, about 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized because of influenza complications, according to the CDC.
Vaccine manufacturer's are projecting that about 116 million doses of influenza vaccine will be produced for use in the United States during the 2009-10 influenza season.
Specific details about receiving flu shots are as follows:
Flu Hotline: (203) 276-4948
Stamford Government Center Lobby
888 Washington Boulevard
Tuesday from 10 a.m. - 12 noon
Thursday from 12 noon - 2 p.m.
Tully Health Center
32 Strawberry Hill Court
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m. - 12 noon
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