Stoneham Has 26 Confirmed Flu Cases So Far This Season

Stoneham has 26 confirmed cases of the flu so far this season, the town's public health nurse, Peg Drummey, wrote in an email to Stoneham Patch on Tuesday.

This flu season started in early December, but Drummey said, "Flu peaks in March and I am recommending those who have not received their flu shot to go to their local pharmacy."

According to the CDC, there is still time to get a flu shot. Most pharmacies in Stoneham have flu shots available (locations).

There are no future town flu clinics planned for the rest of the season, Drummey said, but the Stoneham Board of Health held four flu clinics in October and 500 residents were vaccinated. Drummey and volunteers also visited three private schools and six public schools in Stoneham, vaccinating 470 children.

Boston Under ‘Public Health Emergency’

Stoneham and other communities in Massachusetts are weathering a flu spike this season. Somerville ran out of flu vaccinations Tuesday, and the city of Boston declared a public health emergency last Wednesday as instances of the flu were ten times higher than they were last year.

Also last Wednesday, the state Department of Public Health reported 18 flu-related deaths in the commonwealth so far this season.

Preventative Steps

For more information on how to help prevent the spread of flu, see the attached video or visit the CDC's flu website.