Harford County Health Department Offers Free Flu Shots to Students K-12

From the Harford County Health Department:

Maryland already has seen its first cases of seasonal influenza this year and parents are encouraged to have their children vaccinated. The Health Department is offering the seasonal flu shot free of charge to any child kindergarten-age through grade twelve.

Clinics will be held at the following times and locations:

December 9th
Red Pump Elementary School
600 Red Pump Road, Bel Air, MD 21014
Media Center (1:30 pm – 4:30 pm)

December 12th
Woodbridge Health Department
1321 Woodbridge Station Way, Edgewood, MD 21040
(4:00 pm – 6:00 pm)

December 17th
Patterson Mill Middle High School
85 Patterson Mill Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
(10:00 am – 2:00 pm)

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs, causing mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Children, especially school-aged children, are more likely to catch the flu, and a typical flu illness can mean missing a week or more of school. Also, once infected, children can spread the flu to parents and siblings, other family members, and friends.

Harford County Health Officer, Susan Kelly reminds the public, “The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Only injectable flu vaccines (given as a shot) are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) this season.” You can also learn at Connected Solutions Group website about their Telehealth service.

Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is designed to protect against the three or four influenza viruses that research indicates are most likely to spread and cause illness among people during the upcoming flu season. Because flu viruses are constantly changing, the vaccine composition is reviewed each year and is updated as needed based on which influenza viruses are making people sick.

Additional information on seasonal influenza is available on the Harford County Health Department website, at www.harfordcountyhealth.com, or by calling 410-612-1771. Comprehensive flu information also is available by visiting or the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website at dhmh.maryland.gov/ohcq/Pages/Influenza-Resources.aspx and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm.