The Pennsylvania Department of Health in cooperation with the Delaware County Department of Intercommunity Health is scheduled to conduct a walk-in flu shot clinic on Dec. 1 at the Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Company in Drexel Hill. 

The clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to all residents age 6 months and older. Patients under the age of 18 who received the vaccination had to be accompanied by parents or their legal guardians.

“This is a great collaboration aimed at keeping our residents healthy this flu season,” said councilman of Delaware County Jack Whelan. “The walk in clinic is for a seasonal flu vaccine.  We are pleased that our members of the Department of Intercommunity Health and members of the Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Company are partnering with us to provide this important service for our residents. We want to ensure that the residents of Delaware County remain healthy during this year’s flu season.”

The clinic is free, but people are asked to bring a canned good or non-perishable food item for donation to a local food bank.

Vaccines will be given to all residents age 4 and older. People will be asked to complete a brief screening to determine if they are allergic to eggs, or have ever had a reaction to a flu shot.
The flu season usually occurs from fall through early spring. The peak of flu season has occurred anywhere from late November through March. The overall health impact of the flu, including infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, varies from year to year.

“I think it is very important to continue to have clinics like this throughout the Delaware County area,” said Darby resident Aaliyah Jameison.  “Everybody is still suffering from hard times due to the recession and many people are still without medical insurance.  Walk-in flu shot clinics like this will not only help the residents who are unable to afford a flu shot, but it will also protect them from getting the flu.

“A clinic like this is especially special because it caters to the community,” she said. “It brings awareness to people’s health and it also informs them that taking better care of their own body should be a number one priority.”

In addition to immunization, there are everyday preventative measures that inhibit the spread of influenza virus, including frequent hand-washing with antibacterial soap, the proper disposal of tissues, and if people are sick with flu–like illness, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that they stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.

For more information on the flu clinic, call (610) 891-5311 or visit www.co.delaware.pa.us.