County Health Officials Urge Residents to Get a Flu Shot; Online Appointment System Available for Clinics

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Montgomery County health officials urge all residents to get a flu vaccination and announced dates for four free clinics. While getting a flu vaccination does not protect against COVID-19, flu shots have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. Getting a flu vaccination can also save health care resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

Seasonal flu vaccinations are available through private health providers, as well as at retail locations throughout the community. County-sponsored seasonal flu vaccination clinics will include free clinics for residents over the age of 14 and two free clinics specifically for children ages six months to 18 years of age. This year there will be one drive-thru flu clinic. The County will offer flu shots only.  High-dose flu vaccine and FluMist will not be available.

Wednesday, Oct. 21
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
White Oak Community Recreation Center
1700 April Lane, Silver Spring
This is an indoor flu clinic. 
Masks are required and social distancing will be in place.

Wednesday, Oct. 28 
2 to 6 p.m.
Universities at Shady Grove Parking Garage
9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville
This will be a drive-thru clinic.
Masks are required and social distancing will be in place. 

Schedule appointments on the County’s flu website or call 311. Appointments are strongly encouraged but walk-ups will be accepted based on availability of vaccine.

Two clinics will be held for children only, ages 6 months to 18 years old. These clinics will be held indoors.

Saturday, Nov. 7
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring

Saturday, Nov. 21
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring

Appointments for the children’s only clinics can be made on the Maryland Vax website. There will be no walk-ups for these clinics. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

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 such as heart disease and diabetes.

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:

• Always cover cough or sneeze with a tissue—then throw the tissue in a trash receptacle. Or cough or sneeze into the inside of the elbow; and
  
  
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. Alcohol hand sanitizer (minimum 60 percent alcohol) will help if soap and water are not available; and
  
  
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. These are places germs can enter the body easily; and
  
  
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too; and
  
  
• Monitor yourself and your family for symptoms of fever which include chills, headache, sore throat, cough, body aches, and vomiting or diarrhea; and
  
  
• If you are sick, stay home from work, school or other public places until you are feeling well.

Check the County’s flu website for more information. For the latest Reopening Montgomery updates, visit the County’s website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCountyMD.

Put the “count” in Montgomery County! Be sure to complete the Census online, by phone, or by mail. It’s safe, confidential, easy, and important. #2020Census #EveryoneCountsMCMD 

# # #

Release ID: 20-599
Media Contact: Mary Anderson 240-777-6507