Walgreens Pharmacist Angela Nikitas gives a flu shot at the Bob Macauley Americares Free Clinic in Norwalk.
Stamford, Conn. – Sept. 13, 2018 – Americares Free Clinics and Walgreens are offering no-cost flu shots in October to help keep the uninsured and underinsured healthy this flu season. Now in its fourth year, the partnership annually vaccinates nearly 700 Fairfield County residents who cannot afford a flu shot.
“The best time to get vaccinated is before the flu begins spreading in your community,” said Americares Free Clinics Director of Volunteer Services and Community Outreach Terri McCartney. “Our annual flu shot campaign with Walgreens ensures Fairfield County residents without health insurance, or those who are unable to afford the flu shot, have access to this important vaccine.”
Flu shots will be available at no cost to eligible residents age 18 and over during walk-in clinics scheduled throughout the month at the Americares Free Clinics in Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford. Immunizations will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last. They will be administered by a Walgreens pharmacist.
The flu shot vouchers are donated by Walgreens and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a national program to make flu shots available to those without health insurance coverage or to those who are unable to afford a flu shot.
The best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated every year, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated. 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 vaccinations prevented approximately 5.3 million illnesses, 2.6 million medical visits and nearly 85,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations during the 2016-2017 flu season.
Flu clinic dates and times:
Danbury
Tuesday, October 9, Tuesday, October 16 & Tuesday, October 23
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Boehringer Ingelheim Americares Free Clinic
76 West Street, Danbury
203.748.6188
Bridgeport
Wednesday, October 10
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 20
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Fred Weisman Americares Free Clinic
115 Highland Ave, Bridgeport
203.333.9175
Norwalk
Wednesday, October 10 & Wednesday, October 17
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Bob Macauley Americares Free Clinic
98 South Main Street, Norwalk
203.899.2493
Stamford
Monday, October 15
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Americares Free Clinic
401 Shippan Avenue, Stamford
Tuesday, October 9
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Building One Community
75 Selleck Street, Stamford
203.658.9507