Seniors & Caregivers: Get the Shot, Not the Flu
Did you know that Rhode Island has some of the highest flu vaccination rates in the US? The hard work and focus of our state’s health-care providers, community health organizations, Department of Health, and the cooperation of our citizens are to thank for this important achievement, but there is still much room for improvement.
The numbers don’t lie: despite our admirable vaccination rates, last year’s flu season was the worst since the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009-2010. The Rhode Island Department of Health recently announced that last year nearly 1400 residents were hospitalized due to the flu, and 60 people died.
The misconception that the flu “just a bad cold” is still widespread, and this false or uninformed belief is deadly.
The single best thing anyone can do to avoid being part of statistics like these is to get a flu shot. This is especially true for people over 65, those with chronic health conditions, who live in nursing or other group-based care home — and anyone who cares for these people.
Community Flu Shot Clinics are running now through the end of November throughout Rhode Island – here is a list of the 2018 clinic dates, times, and locations. You can also get a flu shot from your doctor or from many pharmacies, even without an appointment.
Need more information about why flu shots are so important? Get authoritative facts from the Centers for Disease Control here: Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine, and learn more about Rhode Island’s 2018/19 flu vaccination campaign.