TOWNSHEND — Grace Cottage Family Health, 185 Grafton Rd. (Route 35), will offer a flu vaccine clinic on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is recommended; call 802-365-4331.
You do not need to be an established patient at Grace Cottage to participate. Masks are required, and anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Those who come for a flu shot are also invited to donate to a food drive for the Townshend Food Shelf, whose representative will collect items. If you can, bring a canned good or other non-perishable item.
If you are not insured, payment for your flu shot is expected at the time of service. Most insurance covers this preventive health measure; please bring your ID and insurance card with you.
Two different flu shots are being offered this year: one for those age 6 months to 64 years old, and another for those who are 65 and older.
An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to avoid getting the flu and spreading it to others, the hospital notes in a news release. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination.
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine. People older than age 65 or those with any chronic disease, such as diabetes or asthma, have a higher risk of contracting the flu and are especially urged to get the shot.
For more information on flu shots, visit cdc.gov.