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Flu Shots

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Boston Flu Update: 7,000+ Vaccinated, 8 Deaths

Several major pharmacies were out of the flu vaccination as of Wednesday but are expected to get shipments in soon.

More than 7,000 Boston residents received their flu shots last weekend, following Mayor Thomas Menino’s declaration of a public health emergency. As of Tuesday, the virus had led to at least eight confirmed deaths in the city, including one child under the age of six and seven adults over age 65, according to Dr. Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “We have over 900 confirmed cases and eight deaths [in Boston],” Ferrer said. “Influenza-like illness at emergency rooms is running at a little over 5 percent [of all cases], which is very, very high." Despite the city's ongoing issues with the virus, Ferrer said she was pleased with the turnout over the weekend at Boston clinics. “We vaccinated over 7,000 …

Friday, December 14, 2012

The Season Is Here: Where to Get Flu Shots on Beacon Hill

Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States: This time last year, flu cases were lower in Massachusetts than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. Overall in Massachusetts, activity is considered high now, while it was considered moderate at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in and around Beacon Hill that offer the vaccine: According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase across the country.  Five states—Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee—are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The flu season normally peaks in January and …

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