Free Flu Vaccines Offered To Seniors In Nassau County: Oct. 5

WILLISTON PARK, NY — Nassau County will offer free flu shots to senior citizens in the community next month.

This year's program — sponsored by County Clerk Maureen O'Connell — will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the American Legion Post No. 144 (730 Willis Ave., Williston Park). Northwell Health is donating the vaccines, according to officials.

Appointments are required and can be made by calling 516-571-2661.

"People 65 years and older are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications compared with young, healthy adults," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. "This increased risk is due in part to changes in immune defenses with increasing age."

The severity of seasonal influenza varies each year. But for the most part, people 65 years and older are some of the hardest hit.

The CDC estimates that, in recent years, between 70 and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths have occurred in people aged 65 and above. And between 50 and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations have occurred among people in this age group.

Flu vaccines are tweaked each season to keep up with the ever-changing flu viruses. The CDC says September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated for people 65 years and older. Immunity from vaccination fully sets in after about two weeks.