‘Say Boo to the Flu’ clinic will be conducted Friday at Fine Arts Center

A “Say Boo to the Flu” clinic will be conducted at the Wayland High School Fine Arts Center from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday during the annual “Hallowed Halls” celebration.
Flu shot vaccines will be provided by Walgreens as part of the FamilyWize Community Service Partnership, dedicated to building strong communities through better health. The schools, FamilyWize and Walgreens are working together to help provide flu shots for  uninsured and underinsured residents, and encouraging preventive measures heading into the winter months and typical peak of flu season.
Free flu shots will be available to those who are uninsured or underinsured and are age 7 or older. The vaccines are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“At FamilyWize we believe that stronger, healthier and happier people make healthier and better communities,” said Dan Barnes, CEO of FamilyWize. “The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but there are also good health habits that can often help stop the spread of germs.”
FamilyWize offers the following advice to help prevent the flu:
• Clean your hands: Wash your hands as often and thorough as possible with soap and water. If soap is not available use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Stay home: Whenever possible, stay home when you are sick. Avoid school, work and even errands. Experts recommend you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
• Avoid close contact: Do your best to avoid close contact with people who are sick. You should also avoid close contact with others when you are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Viruses are often spread after a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. This is why it is also important to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
• Keep your surroundings clean: Clean and disinfect that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
“Every year, thousands of children miss valuable school days because of the influenza virus. Influenza also causes more hospitalizations than any other vaccine-preventable disease,” said Lisa Peterson, school nurse at Wayland Union Schools. “Prevention plays a crucial role in reducing the spread of illness and flu. Preventative measures that result in even a modest reduction in the spread of influenza have shown to have a significant impact on school absenteeism. The single best way to protect your children and family against seasonal flu and its potential complications is to get a seasonal flu vaccine each year. ”
Flu activity commonly peaks in the U.S. between December and February, but seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May. The Center for Disease Control recommends getting the shot or spray as soon as the vaccine becomes available in your neighborhood.