Central CT Health District To Hold Drive-Thru Flu Clinics

BERLIN, CT — The Central Connecticut Health District will hold nine drive-thru flu clinics in October in the district's four towns of Berlin, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield. All vaccinations are by appointment only and must be scheduled online via the health district's vaccine portal.

Drive-thru clinics will be 2 to 6 p.m. in the first two weeks of October and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the last two weeks of October. A special family/pediatric drive-thru clinic will be held Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for families with children ages 4 to 18.

The dates for the clinics are as follows:

Berlin, Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 2 to 6 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Newington, Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 2 to p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rocky Hill, Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 2 to 6p.m. and Thursday Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wethersfield, Thursday, Oct. 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Clinic locations and addresses will be provided upon registration. Please remember to bring both your proof of appointment (automated text or email message) and your insurance card when driving up at the scheduled time to receive your vaccination at no cost.

The health district bills Aetna, CIGNA HealthCare, Connecticare, Harvard Pilgrim, United Healthcare Medicare plans, and Medicare part B insurances. The cost for all others is $25; however, no patient will be denied vaccination for inability to pay.

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral respiratory infection that can result in mild to severe illness potentially requiring hospitalization and can lead to death, according to a district statement.

In the United States, the CDC estimates that influenza has resulted between 9.2 million - 35.6 million illnesses, between 140,000 - 710,000 hospitalizations, and between 12,000 - 56,000 deaths annually since 2010.

For more information on CCHD, please visit us at www.ccthd.org.