- May 5, 2024
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Story courtesy of Gretchen Smith, Flagler DOH public information officer
As part of its agreement with Flagler Schools, the Florida Department of Health in Flagler is providing free flu shots to students and faculty at all schools in the district. The in-school clinics will take place Nov. 4-18.
Last year, the department gave flu shots to 1,240 students and teachers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu vaccine every year as the first step in protecting against influenza and its potentially serious complications. The vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women.
According to DOH-Flagler Medical Director Dr. Stephen Bickel, flu vaccines may not entirely prevent illness but can reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of complications.
“Many studies show that vaccination can reduce the severity of illness in people who get sick,” Bickel said. “This means less flu-associated hospitalizations and fewer missed days from school or work. This is another reason why it’s important to get flu shots every year.”
Bickel also mentioned that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu and that proper and frequent hand washing can help prevent the flu from spreading.
The Department of Health will continue accepting parental consent forms until Nov. 1. Parents can download the consent for here, complete it and return it to their child’s school as soon as possible.
Call 386-313-7067 for more information.
