News

Beebe Medical Center to Offer Free Flu Vaccinations in October and November

09/22/11

Beebe Medical Center is offering free influenza vaccinations at several locations during October and November. Vaccinations will be provided to adults only (age 18 and over). Parents should contact their children's physician for information about pediatric vaccinations or visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/fluclinics for information on the flu clinics offered through Delaware Division of Public Health.

Influenza viruses are always changing so annual vaccination is recommended. Each year scientists try to match the viruses in the vaccine to those most likely to cause flu that year. Included here are guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those with allergies to eggs should speak to a health care provider before getting the vaccination.

For more information on the clinics, call the Beebe Medical Center Community Health Department at 302-645-3337.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people at high risk for complications from influenza include:
" People 65 years and older.
" People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that house those with long-term illnesses.
" Adults and children six months and older with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma.
" Adults and children six months and older who needed regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS]).
" Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy (Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye's syndrome).
" Women who are pregnant during influenza season.
" All children 6 to 23 months of age.
" People with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions (that is, a condition that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, such as brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other nerve or muscle disorders).

The CDC also recommends that the following populations consider getting the influenza vaccination:
" People 50 to 64 years of age. Nearly one-third of people between the ages of 50 and 64 years of age in the United States have one or more medical conditions that place them at an increased risk for serious flu complications.
" People who can transmit flu to others at high risk for complications. Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group should get vaccinated. This includes all health-care workers, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of young children up to 23 months of age, and close contacts of people 65 years and older.
What to do if you get Influenza:

Those who become ill with influenza should rest, drink plenty of liquids, avoid using alcohol and tobacco, and take medication to relieve symptoms (Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, especially fever, without consulting a physician). In some cases, physicians may choose to prescribe certain antiviral drugs to treat influenza. Antibiotics do not cure influenza, which is caused by a virus.

Community Health Influenza Vaccine Clinics
Dates, Times and locations

Oct. 18. (Tuesday). 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Beebe Lab Express Millville, Creekside Plaza,
Route 26, (Next to Food Lion)
Oct. 19 (Wednesday) Noon to 3 pm. Beebe Lab Express Georgetown, Georgetown Professional Park, 20136 Office Circle,
Oct. 23 (Sunday) 9 a.m. to Noon Lewes Presbyterian Church, 133 King's Hwy, Lewes
Oct. 25 (Tuesday) Noon to 3 p.m. Beebe Lab Express Milton, 614 Mulberry St. Clipper Square
Oct. 26 (Wednesday) Noon to 6 p.m. Camp Rehoboth,
Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach
Oct. 27 (Thursday) Noon to 3 p.m. Beebe Lab Express Millsboro, 232 Mitchell St
Oct. 29 (Saturday) Noon to 4 p.m. Beebe Health Campus, John J Williams Hwy, (Route 24) Rehoboth Beach.
Nov. 1 (Tuesday) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nanticoke Museum, John J Williams Hwy, Millsboro
Nov. 2 (Wed) 9 a.m. to Noon YMCA, 20080 Church St Rehoboth Beach

Nov. 2 (Wed) 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Crossroad Community Church,
State Forest Road, Georgetown
Nov. 3 (Thursday) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ocean View VFW, Mason Dixon Post 7234, 29265 Marshy Hope Way, Ocean View
Nov. 5 (Sat) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rabbits Ferry Community Center,
Robinsonville Rd. (Shady Nook Rd), Lewes


Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a charitable mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org