Calvert County Health Department
Calvert County Health Department Seasonal Flu Vaccination Schedule
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Mondays – 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
$20 for all seasonal vaccinations, children Pre-K - 5th Grade free
Cash or Check Only - Medicare Part B accepted
Seasonal Flu Vaccination Information
Questions & Answers about the 2012-2013 Flu Season
Nasal Spray Vaccine for ages 2 through 49 years:
See Live Intranasal Vaccine Information Statement for Complete Details
Injectable Flu Vaccine (needle & syringe only) for ages 6 months and older:
See Inactive Vaccine Information Statement for Complete Details
Consent Form
You may print out the flu consent form and fill it out prior to the clinic only for ages 3 and up and if you are not a public or private school age child in Pre-K through 5th grade. Children in Pre-K through 5th grade must complete the form at the clinic.
Consent Form with Questions
To help families across Calvert County, your child's school is partnering with the health department to provide vaccination free of charge. Nurses will administer the vaccine at your child's school. ... > More Info
Advisement from the Health Officer
We are entering into the worst part of the flu season. Over the past two weeks, we have started to see a significant increase in influenza-related emergency room visits at Calvert Memorial Hospital. Typically, the greatest number of cases occur from mid-January through February. In an average year, influenza is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. (36,000 deaths) and leads to almost a quarter-million hospitalizations.
This year, the number of people who suffer severe illness or die from complications of the flu is likely to be higher than average. The first part of this year's flu season indicates the viral strain currently circulating is more dangerous than typical. The good news is that this season's vaccine is an excellent match for the strain and should do a very good job of keeping people healthy. However, once someone receive vaccination, it takes 2-3 weeks to boost their immune system. This makes it extremely important to get vaccinated as soon as possible to maximize the chance that you will be protected.
Pregnant women are at greater risk of severe complications from influenza than non-pregnant women. These complications include severe pneumonia that could require intensive care treatment and higher chance of maternal death. Pregnant women are also at greater risk of premature delivery and resulting serious complications for their newborn infants. All health experts agree on the safety and importance of vaccination during pregnancy. Pregnant women have received influenza vaccines for decades with no harm to their babies.
Pregnant women who get vaccinated not only dramatically decrease risks to their unborn babies and themselves, but also pass their immunity to influenza to their newborns. This means that if the flu goes through the community after she delivers, her infant is much less likely to get sick. Influenza often causes dangerous illness in very young children. Over a dozen children under age five have already died in the U.S. this season due to flu infections.
In addition to influenza vaccination, people over age 64 and anyone with chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, diabetes, or weakened immune system should also ask their healthcare provider about a pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccine helps prevent potentially life-threatening pneumonia from bacteria infection (different from the influenza virus).
Vaccines are offered at the Calvert County Health Department Monday-Friday from 8:30- 10:00 am and on Monday from 1:00- 3:30 pm. The cost is $20. You may also get vaccinated at most doctor's offices and at many pharmacies and supermarkets in the county.
If you do get sick this flu season, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your elbow. Wash your hands with soap and water after potential contact with germs. Avoid touching your mouth or nose. If you think you have the flu, stay home to minimize the chance of infecting others. You are contagious starting one day before symptoms develop. You continue to shed significant amount of virus for 5-7 days. Children shed virus 2-3 days before symptoms and continue to potentially infect others for 10 days after symptoms begin.
