The Charles County Department of Health (in White Plains, MD) is offering free flu vaccinations Monday- Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00pm. No appointment needed.

Get a Flu Vaccine: CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.  Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.  The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible.

Everyday preventive actions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry).  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

To learn more about ways to protect yourself and your family from the flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevention/actions-prevent-flu.html . For additional information about flu clinics, call the Charles County Department of Health at 301-609-6900.