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Montgomery County Health Officials Urge Residents to Get Seasonal Flu Vaccination Now

Montgomery County Health officials today urged residents to get their annual seasonal flu vaccination now before the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine becomes available later in October. Vaccination is the best way to protect against illness during flu season. Seasonal flu is a separate virus that will also be circulating in the fall and can cause serious illness.

Seasonal flu vaccinations will be readily available through private health providers, as well as at retail locations throughout the community. County seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be held in early November. Check the County's flu website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/h1n1flu for information on flu vaccination clinics in the community. Anyone not wanting to get the flu should receive the seasonal flu vaccination, particularly the elderly, household members living with children younger than six months of age, health care workers and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Individuals who are in the target groups for the H1N1 vaccine--persons six months of age up to 24 years, health care and EMS workers, as well as pregnant women and individuals 25 to 64 years with chronic conditions that put them at risk for severe complications--are urged to take advantage of H1N1 vaccinations that will be available later in the fall.

In addition to flu vaccinations at retail locations throughout the community, Montgomery County Health and Human Services will conduct seasonal flu vaccination clinics: 

October 31, 2009
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Silver Spring Health Center
8630 Fenton Street, 10th floor
Silver Spring, MD

November 5, 2009
8:30 am - 12 noon
Germantown Recreational Center
18905 Kingsview Road
Germantown, MD
240-777-8095

November 12, 2009
4 - 7 pm
University of Maryland Shady Grove
9630 Gudelsky Drive, Building II
Rockville, MD

Also, Safeway Pharmacies http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Pharmacy and Target Pharmacies  http://www.target.com/flu are offering Flu Shots in some stores. Check with your closest location before going.

The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits can often help stop the spread of germs and prevent illnesses like the flu. Good health habits include:

o Always cover cough or sneeze with a tissue-then throw the tissue away. Or, cough or sneeze into the inside of the elbow.

o Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. Alcohol hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) will do if soap and water are not available.

o Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. These are places germs can enter the body easily.

o Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.

o Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, body aches, and vomiting or diarrhea.

o If you are sick, stay home from work, school or other public places until you are feeling well.

Check the Montgomery County's flu website- www.montgomerycountymd.gov/h1n1flu - frequently for updated information and resources.