Hagerstown, MD (October 22, 2009) - The Washington County Health Department announces an adult seasonal flu vaccination clinic to provide vaccinations for protection against seasonal influenza.

The adult seasonal flu vaccination clinic will be held on November 3, 2009, at North Hagerstown High School beginning at 9:00 am and continuing while vaccine supplies last. This clinic is for adults age 18 years and older. A $20.00 donation is requested. Medicare will be accepted, but no other insurances will be billed.

The Health Department currently has a limited number of seasonal flu vaccine doses available and will provide them at the November 3rd clinic until supplies are exhausted.

A vaccination for seasonal flu does not provide protection from H1N1 (Swine) flu which is currently circulating along with the seasonal flu. Vaccine for protection against H1N1 influenza is being made available as it is received and public clinics will be announced when there is a sufficient quantity of vaccine on hand. Updates for clinics will be available on the Health Department's Flu Hotline at 240-313-3456 and on the website at www.washhealth.org.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm) except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

Other important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs (for when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.