Southampton, NY—Stony Brook Southampton Hospital will hold its annual free flu shot clinic for adults 18 years or older on Wednesday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Parrish Memorial Hall, located on the corner of Herrick Road and Lewis Street in Southampton. Vaccines are subject to availability, and valid ID is required. No appointments are necessary.
The 2017-18 flu season saw the highest rate of flu-like illness since the 2009 pandemic. Hospitalization rates across all age groups were the highest ever recorded in the New York State Department of Health recording system. And, as of August 25, a total of 180 pediatric deaths nationwide have been reported from the 2017-18 season, the second-highest rate since reporting began in 2004. Both the NYSDOH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible for the upcoming season, preferably before the end of October
“A 2018 study shows that risk of hospitalization with the flu reduced 37 percent thanks to the vaccine, and risk of Intensive Care Unit admission with the flu reduced 82 percent,” said Deborah Maile, RN, Director of Infection Prevention at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. “Flu vaccination is the best way to protect against the flu and flu-related complications.”