Area Communities Schedule Flu Shot Clinics

HEALTH reports high flu activity in Rhode Island, and the vaccination demand is causing sporadic shortages.

The CDC reports an elevated number of flu cases in the U.S., with the Rhode Island Department of Health reporting widespread flu. HEALTH has listed a number of other public health clinics throughout the state. There is no cost for any vaccination and health insurance is not a requirement at public clinics. Anyone who is insured should bring his or her insurance card. In addition to flu vaccine, pertussis (whooping cough) and pneumonia vaccine will be available at some clinics. Locally, a clinic is being held at the Pier School on Monday – click here for more info. Outside of government clinics, demand for vaccinations is creating sporadic shortages. "Due to high demand caused by the outbreaks of influenza across the country, some of our …

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Flu Clinic Monday in Narragansett

There are no out-of-pocket expenses for a flu clinic Monday at the Pier School in Narragansett.

There will be a community vaccination clinic for flu, pneumonia and DPT from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21 at the Narragansett Pier School. There is no out-of-pocket expense, and no money will be collected. However, if you have insurance, please bring your insurance card. Vaccinations are recommended for anyone six months old, or older. Release courtesy of Margaret Fair at the Pier School.

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Red Cross Offers Tips for Preventing Flu in Kids

Hand washing is one of the ways to keep kids healthy.

The following release is from the Red Cross. Health officials are reporting widespread influenza outbreaks in 47 of 50 states, up from just a week ago. One age group hit particularly hard is children, and the American Red Cross has some steps parents can teach their kids to help them avoid getting sick. WASHING HANDS Kids have a way of picking up colds and other illnesses. Parents should teach children proper hand washing techniques and how to correctly cover coughs or sneezes. Wash hands withsoap and warm water. When using soap and water: If using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer: SAFETY STEPS The most important thing parents can do is get children six months of age or oldera flu vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. …

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Why Get The Flu Shot? HEALTH Debunks Shot Myths

With flu rates higher than normal across the U.S., R.I. Health Director Fine says it's not too late to get vaccinated and protect yourself and others.

From the office of Michael Fine, M.D., director of the Rhode Island Department of Health: As the flu remains widespread in Rhode Island and continues to send people to doctors’ offices and hospitals throughout the state, unvaccinated Rhode Islanders are urged to get flu shots to protect not only themselves, but also those around them — particularly elderly people and babies under the age of six months.   “Flu vaccine helps you and the people in your life stay healthy,” said Fine. “Roughly 40 percent of the state has been vaccinated so far this flu season. For the hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders who still haven’t gotten flu shots, it’s not too late to protect yourself, your family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends.” This …

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The Season Is Here: Where to Get Flu Shots in Gansett, SK

Here's where to get a flu shot, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were much lower in Rhode Island than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends.  Overall in the state, activity is considered high now, while it was considered low at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here is where you can go locally: Check here for more locations in the surrounding area. According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country.  Five states — Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee — are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The flu season normally …

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Off to School; Off to Bed; or Off to the Doctor? [Poll]

When is sick, too sick for school?

  With Wakefield Elementary School already in the news and on the state Department of Health’s (HEALTH) flu radar, should you worry if your child comes to you and says, “Mommy, I don’t feel so good. Do I have to go to school today?” It can be a tough call especially if the night before everything was hunky dory and you don’t see a red throat, vomit, diarrhea, or other obvious sick day signs. We could all benefit from the extra rest a day off can give you but, you're the one who has to be at work, a doctor appointment, or do any number of other things that aren’t possible with a kid at home. However, you also don’t want to send your precious darling off to infect the classroom, or be on the receiving end of a sneeze that becomes the tipping…

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EVENT OF THE DAY: Ward Off the Flu

URI offers a free flu clinic today at 11:30 a.m.

Learn how to stay healthy during flu season at a flu clinic today at 11:30 a.m. at the University of Rhode Island, 50 Lower College Road, Kingston. Get tips on flu prevention and remedies and also receive some free giveaways. See the attached schedule of upcoming flu clinics for the season. Listed are the date, times and locations. The clinic is free and open to the public.

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Parents Talk Q+A

Are You Waiting For Flying Swine To Get Your Flu Shot?

Stuff we hope will de-“Mist”-ify the signs of the flu season for you.

With all the signs around town since early September offering flu shots competing for the opportunity to stab you in the arm, it’s been a bit overwhelming for folks and causing some confusion over just where and when to get your family vaccinated for the current Flu season. All our local pharmacies have partnered with BCBS of RI and our schools have partnered with the RI Department of Health for school based clinics all up and running right now. The members of the Parents Council have been wondering if we should get our families vaccinated now or later; just what strains of flu are the vaccines good for; and how long will we and our kids be protected from contracting the Flu? In case you've been wondering the same things, here is what we …

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