Winchester Preparing for Flu Season

A cut in federal funding and an increase in the prices the state must pay for the vaccines will reduce the number of vaccination shots for the upcoming flu season being sent to local communities such as Winchester.

According to Jennifer Murphy, Director of the Winchester Board of Health, the state will be giving Winchester half the amount of shots it gave the town a year ago. However, since Winchester charged $10 a shot last year and along with its Medicare reimbursements, Winchester has enough funds to purchase the remaining flu shots.

“I don’t expect to see a shortage,” Murphy said. “There should be enough out there between CVS, Walgreens and us, it would just depend on how much it’s going to cost.”

However, if the number of people who get the shot through the Winchester Board of Health, Murphy said it could become more difficult in the future for the town to have enough money to purchase the same amount of shots.

This year, Winchester will be taking Medicare and 10 private insurance companies for people under 65.

According to Murphy, the department will also be holding its third annual school-based clinics.

“We’ll be offering students the FluMist and the flu shot,” Murphy said. “Hopefully if we can immunize the children that would be fewer days they will miss and then they won’t be able to spread the disease.

“The key is to target schools and the kids because they are the ones that spread it.”

The dates for the school clinics have not been set yet.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends people get the flu shot to protect yourself and others.

“Young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions – such as heart, lung or kidney disease, or a weakened immune system – can get much sicker,” the CDC said. “Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia, and make existing medical conditions worse. It can cause diarrhea and seizures in children. Each year thousands of people die from influenza and even more require hospitalization.

“By getting flu vaccine you can protect yourself from influenza and may also avoid spreading influenza to others.”

All clinics will be held at the

• Tuesday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (age 65 and over, high-risk only)
• Tuesday, Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (General Public, 3 and over)
• Thursday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (General Public, 3 and over)
• Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (General Public, 3 and over)

Most Health Insurances accepted

Bring insurance cards ($10 fee if insurance not accepted) 

Limited FluMist available at General Public Clinics  

Tetanus shots offered at all clinics - $10 fee