By Carol McCracken  (Post # 1,264)

The city is holding an extra seasonal flu vaccination clinic next Friday, January 18, 2013.  It will be held at the State of Maine Room, City Hall, Portland between 10 am – 2 pm.  A second flu vaccination clinic will be held all week at 103 India Street Clinic. It runs from Monday – Thursday 8 am – 7 pm and on Friday January 18th from 8 am – 4:30 pm.

The reason for these  vaccination clinics is because of recent outbreaks of influenza and the seriousness of them plus the potential health risks.  Boston recently announced an emergency situation because of the high numbers of influenza like illnesses.

For more information, visit the Immunization Program website, http://www.portlandmaine.gov/hhs/health.asp or call 874-8446.

According to the Center for Disease Control, most of the country is now experiencing high levels of influenza-like-illness  (ILI) and the federal agency recommends that all adults and children older than six months get vaccinated as it is the best way to prevent  getting or speading the virus.  Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization.

The national news has emphasized the seriousness of the situation and encouraged those who have not yet been vaccinated, there is still time to do so to be an effective deterant against the “flu.”