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Seasonal Flu Vaccine

Updated: 1.19.2013

New: Flu Vaccine Clinic Schedule    

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health provides free flu shot and nasal spray clinics in Annapolis and Glen Burnie. See the Flu Vaccine Clinic Schedule above. During flu season 2011-2012, the Department provided more than 26,900 doses of seasonal flu vaccine.

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against the flu. It is extremely important for some people to get vaccinated, especially people who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu. This includes people who have certain medical conditions, e.g., asthma, diabetes or chronic lung disease; pregnant women; and those 65 years old and older. Household contacts and caregivers of people at high risk of developing serious complications should also get the flu vaccine.

The 2012-2013 flu vaccine protects against an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus; an A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.

A flu vaccine is needed annually, because flu viruses are constantly changing. The flu vaccine is formulated each year to keep up with the flu viruses as they change. Studies have shown that the body's immunity to influenza viruses (acquired either through natural infection or vaccination) declines over time.

Each year in the United States, on average 23,600 people die from seasonal flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related causes.

For information on flu prevention:

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