Walgreens Pharmacist Angela Nikitas gives a flu shot at the Bob Macauley Americares Free Clinic. Photo by Donna Porstner/Americares.
Stamford, Conn. – Oct. 2, 2017 – Americares Free Clinics and Walgreens are offering no-cost flu shots in October to help keep the uninsured healthy this winter. Now in its third year, the partnership annually vaccinates more than 500 uninsured Fairfield County residents who are otherwise unable to afford the flu shot. Many of the patients who benefit do not have paid sick time and lose income when they are too ill to work.
“It may seem early to start thinking about flu, but it can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to be effective,” said Americares Free Clinics Executive Director Karen Gottlieb. “Working together with Walgreens, we are ensuring more Connecticut residents stay healthy during the upcoming flu season.”
Flu shots will be available at no cost to eligible residents age 18 and over during walk-in clinics at the Americares Free Clinics in Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford. Immunizations will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and administered by a Walgreens pharmacist.
The flu shot is the best protection you can get against influenza, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated by the end of October. Seasonal influenza can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and even death. Young children, the elderly and adults with underlying medical conditions are most at risk. The CDC estimates influenza vaccination prevented approximately 5.1 million illnesses and 2.5 million medical visits associated with influenza in the 2015-2016 flu season.
Flu clinic dates and times:
Danbury:
Tuesday, October 10 & Tuesday, October 17
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Boehringer Ingelheim Americares Free Clinic
76 West Street, Danbury
Bridgeport:
Wednesday, October 11
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 21
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Fred Weisman Americares Free Clinic
115 Highland Ave, Bridgeport
Norwalk:
Wednesday, October 11 & Wednesday, October 18
4 p.m. to 7 pm.
Bob Macauley Americares Free Clinic
98 South Main Street, Norwalk
Stamford:
Monday, October 16
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Americares Free Clinic
401 Shippan Avenue, Stamford
Tuesday, October 17
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Building One Community
75 Selleck Street, Stamford