Flu clinic draws Sussex Co. residents

Health officials confirmed the first confirmed case of influenza in Kent County on Friday and now, Delaware health officials are urging folks who do not get vaccinated to get the shot as soon as possible.

A flu shot clinic was held at the Route 13 Outlet Market in Laurel on Saturday. It was one of several clinics expected to be held in October. They are intended for those who have no healthcare provider or whose insurance does not cover flu vaccinations.

Andrea Wojcik is the Chief of Community Relations in the Office of Health Risk Communications at the Delaware Division Of Public Health. Wojcik tells 47 ABC, it’s important for the elderly and young children to get vaccinated but her office is also encouraging healthy individuals between 19-to-49 to do so as well.

“Today, who has time to be in bed for 5 to 7 days? While you’re down and you have children, you have to think about child care arrangements.” She explains. “You have to think about spreading the virus to your children, to your spouse or partner, to other family members. It’s really critical that everybody get vaccinated.”

According to the Division Of Public Health, there were 28 flu-related deaths and 2,390 confirmed cases of influenza in Delaware in the 2014-2015 flu season. We’re told this was a significant increase in activity from the prior year.

Upcoming flu shot clinics include:

New Castle County
· Nov. 3, 2015: YMCA, 1000 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE  19801, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Kent County
· Oct. 30, 2015: Spence’s Bazaar, 550 S. New St., Dover, DE  19901, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
· Oct. 31, 2015: AME Church Women’s Missionary Society, 100 W Mispillion Street, Harrington, DE 19952, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sussex County
· Oct. 31, 2015, – Seaford High School, 399 N Market Street Ext., Seaford, DE 19973, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.