Instant flu clinic

Posted 1/26/17

As you can read in today’s Beacon and may already know from the workplace or home, Rhode Island hasn’t escaped from the flu this year.

The state Department of Health has categorized the flu as …

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Instant flu clinic

Posted

As you can read in today’s Beacon and may already know from the workplace or home, Rhode Island hasn’t escaped from the flu this year.

The state Department of Health has categorized the flu as “widespread,” the top tier in its ranking. Until it is tested, cases of the flu can’t be confirmed, but based on the number of hospitalized cases – 135 as of Tuesday and three flu-related deaths as of Tuesday – there’s no denying the flu is with us.

In preparation for the flu season, the department sponsored a series of school vaccination clinics during which about 30,000 students were vaccinated. Those clinics have concluded. Vaccinations for adults are still available at area pharmacies as well as for adults and children from physicians.

That’s why notification of a Warwick clinic planned for this evening at the Pilgrim Senior Center was of special interest. This was not a long-time scheduled clinic and was initiated in response to the late-coming outbreak of the flu.

As we learned from city wellness nurse Pat Seltzer, the issue of widespread cases of the flu was raised at a meeting of the Ocean State Immunization Coalition last week. Seltzer thought a Warwick clinic would be a public service and, based on the turnout of a clinic in Westerly, the Wellness Company that is contracted by the state to conduct the school clinics agreed at no additional cost to run the Warwick clinic. The Wellness Company has volunteered to hold more clinics at the request of municipalities.

Mayor Scott Avedisian rapidly endorsed the Warwick clinic, and the word went out to the community.

As health officials point out, it’s not too late to be vaccinated. That goes for adults as well as children. Those planning to take advantage of the clinic need not pre-register. The clinic is from 4 to 6 p.m. They should bring insurance information, and if they don’t have insurance they can still participate at no charge.

What is commendable is the initiative taken to address the flu. The need was perceived, the city administration embraced the idea and without delay the plan was put in place. There weren’t a bunch of studies, wrangling and posturing. It was government doing what’s right. Now there’s a cure.

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