Oct. 9, 2003 – The Health Department will be making free flu shots available Friday on St. Thomas and St. Croix. While immunization is recommended especially for individuals age 50 and older and other at-risk populations, it will be available to anyone, according to a Government House release distributed Thursday afternoon.
The release stated that the annual shots will be available:
– On St. Thomas, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pueblo Supermarket in Long Bay.
– On St. Croix, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pueblo Supermarket in Golden Rock.
The release said that the shots are being offered for those 50 and older; persons with diabetes, sickle cell condition or heart, lung or kidney diseases get flu shots; and "anyone wishing to avoid the flu."
The National Center for Infectious Diseases, a part of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also recommends that children under 2 years of age, pregnant women, children and teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy, and those with asthma get annual flu shots.
To learn more about protection from influenza viruses and the outlook for the flu season running from October through next May, visit the National Center for Infectious Diseases Web site.
For further information about the availability of flu shots locally, call the Health Department's Immunization Program office at 776-8311, ext. 2151.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
