City Offers Free Flu Shots at South Philadelphia Clinic

by KYW's Hadas Kuznits

The Philadelphia health department is kicking off its community based flu vaccination program.

Folks lined up at the Philadelphia Senior Center, at Broad and Lombard Streets, on Wednesday for their seasonal flu shots.

Carol Johnson is director of disease control with the Philadelphia Department of Health:

"This is not the H1N1 or 'swine' influenza (vaccine), which is a totally different vaccine."

Johnson says this is the vaccine for the regular flu strains that recur every year:

"...which target primarily seniors, children, and middle-aged individuals who have high-risk conditions."

Mary was among those getting vaccinated.

(Kuznits:)  "Do you get a flu shot every year?"
(Mary:)  "Yes."
(Kuznits:)  "Why is it important for you to get a flu shot?"
(Mary:)  "Because I don't want to be sick!"

Johnson says now is the time:

"It peaks anywhere from December to February, so we target our flu clinics to be just before that.  We like to vaccinate people anywhere between October and early November."

But Johnson says that sometimes the flu can linger until as late as March, so if you can't get your flu shot now, don't pass up a chance to get it later in the season.

(File photo)