Calvert County Health Department
- Adult Evaluation Reviews (AERS)
- Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
- Developmental Disabilities Program
- Health Equity Program
- Health Insurance Programs
- Home and Community-Based Services
- Maternal and Child Health
- Medical Assistance Program
- Medical Assistance Transportation Program
- Reproductive Health
- Reproductive Health Clinic Schedule
- Child Safety Seats
- Colorectal Cancer Awareness & Screening
- Diabetes and Prediabetes
- E-Cigarettes and Vaping
- Heart Health
- Injury Prevention
- Oral Cancer Prevention
- Poison Prevention
- Responsible Tobacco Retailer Program
- Skin Cancer Awareness
- Tobacco Cessation Program
- Stroke Awareness
- Tobacco Cessation for Pregnant Women
- Tobacco Use Prevention
Free School and Community Flu Clinics Offered by the Health Department
An annual flu vaccine is always the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against influenza. The Calvert County Health Department urges everyone ages 6 months to 106 years old to get their annual flu vaccine.
School and Community Flu Clinics are being offered free of charge throughout October and November. The full listing of dates and locations can be found here. Save time and register online at (https://www.marylandvax.org/ )
In an average year, 25,000 Americans die from influenza and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized. Millions more become sick enough to miss time from work or school.
Although typical flu vaccines are “only” 50-60% protective, not getting a vaccine is 0% protective. For the 40-50% of people who may still become infected despite vaccination, their illness is typically much milder and they are less contagious to others as a result of partial protection from the vaccine. For business owners and managers, this also means fewer employees become ill and miss significant time from their jobs.
Yearly vaccinations are important because the strains of circulating influenza change over time. Getting your annual vaccine is particularly important in 2020 because people can be simultaneously infected by influenza and COVID. For those who are co-infected, their immune system can become overwhelmed resulting in much higher rates of complications. We are also very concerned about our hospital being saturated by influenza and/or COVID patients, leading to shortages of beds and cancellations of non-emergency surgeries.
Influenza vaccine is especially important for individuals who are at high risk for medical complications and severe disease, including:
· Children younger than 5;
· Adults 65 years of age and older;
· Persons of any age with chronic medical conditions, including:
- Heart or kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Respiratory problems, including asthma
- Cancer
- Immune system problems
· Pregnant and postpartum women;
· Persons caring for someone in these groups should also be vaccinated to avoid spreading the disease to them. These persons include healthcare workers, household contacts of individuals at risk for complications from the flu, and daycare or school workers.
Flu vaccination protects you, your family, and members of our community who are at high-risk for serious complications of viral illnesses. Vaccination is a selfless and simple act that shows kindness and respect to others. Whether you receive your vaccine at your doctor’s office, pharmacy, or at one of the Health Department’s school or community clinics, we thank you for making Calvert County a safer and healthier place to live.
