Medford Offering Free Flu Clinic For All Ages

MEDFORD, MA — The city will host a family-friendly flu clinic on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Andrews Middle School.

Due to a limited number of available vaccines, appointments are required and can be made by visiting www.medfordma.org/fluclinic or by calling 781-393-2560. Insurance is preferred so reimbursements can be filled. The vaccine is free without insurance as well to ensure people of all ages and backgrounds have access to immunization.

During all clinics, COVID-19 health and safety precautions will be in place to ensure participants stay safe and to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19.

For the Oct. 24 clinic, the city encourages families to make appointments together (up to five people at one time) to be sure all members are protected against the flu this season. The state of Massachusetts currently requires flu vaccines for all children ages 6 months and older who are attending Massachusetts child care, preschool, kindergarten, K-12 or colleges and universities by Dec. 31, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided or the student is enrolled in homeschooling/has opted for fully remote learning for the school year.

The Medford Board of Health is also working with local partners to determine future clinic dates for critical infrastructure, adults, teens, and children, including exploring various models such as drive-thru dispensing and mobile teams to optimize safety and efficiency.

Residents may also visit a pharmacy or contact their doctor to schedule a flu shot.

Tips for Preventing the Flu and Other Illnesses:

• Get a vaccine! Vaccines are available through the City’s flu clinics as supplies last, as well as through your Primary Care Physician or at local pharmacies.
• If you feel sick, stay home.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, or if you do not have access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Disinfect common surfaces and objects.
• Practice social distancing, and wear face coverings in public.

Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19.

Influenza (flu) is a serious disease that causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States each year. Here’s what to do if you or a loved one becomes sick with flu this season: https://go.usa.gov/xVn4texternal icon