Cleveland Clinic Offers Flu Shots

In an effort to protect the public from the flu, Cleveland Clinic will hold more than 100 seasonal flu vaccination clinics throughout Northeast Ohio beginning Sept. 20 at various locations including its main campus, family health centers and community hospitals.

The dates, times and locations of the clinics and information regarding seasonal flu can be found by visiting www.clevelandclinic.org/flu.

At the Twinsburg Family Health and Surgery Center, flu shots will be available:

Saturday, Oct 20 -- 8 a.m. to noon, adults and children 3 and older; no appointment needed.

Saturday, Nov 17 -- 8 a.m. to noon, adults and children 3 and older; no appointment needed.

Flu is a serious health threat. The flu season can be unpredictable but typically runs from October through March. The seasonal flu vaccine is the first step in overall preventive health and is recommended for:

-         Children 6 months of age and older

-         Adults 65 years of age and older

-         Women who will be or are pregnant during the flu season

-         Anyone with long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease

-         Anyone with a weakened immune system

-         Residents of nursing homes and chronic care centers

-         Healthcare providers

-         Those who live or reside in a dormitory or classroom setting

-         Anyone else who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu

 “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highly recommend everyone over the age of six months get the flu vaccine,” said Thomas Fraser, M.D., Staff Physician in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Cleveland Clinic. “Getting the flu vaccine is an important step each person can take to promote their own and their family’s health and well being.”  

Common symptoms of the flu may include a fever greater than 100° F, body aches, headache, fatigue that comes on rapidly, vomiting, diarrhea, dry cough, severe chest discomfort and chills or sweats. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor.

The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those viruses are influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses.

For more information, visit www.clevelandclinic.org/flu.