Franklin Pediatrics Important Flu Vaccine Information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccine every year.  A flu vaccine is particularly important for many of you because:

1. Children younger than 5 years and especially younger than 2 years are at high risk for serious flu- related complications. About 80% of reported child deaths occur in children who have not been fully vaccinated.  A flu vaccine can be life-saving for children.
2. People with chronic medical conditions-such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma-are at higher risk of developing flu-related complication. Complications can range from pneumonia and bronchitis to intensified symptoms of chronic medical conditions and a weakened ability to fight off infections.  Studies have shown that flu vaccination was associated with lower rates of cardiac events among people with heart disease, as well as reduced hospitalizations related to their medical condition among people with diabetes and chronic lung disease.

Every flu season is different, and flu vaccine can vary in how well it works, but receiving a flu vaccine every year offers the best available protection against flu and has been shown to reduce illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths from the flu.  In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, flu vaccination is even more important than usual to decrease the burden of flu overall and help conserve medical resources for the care of COVID-19 patients.

Because there is a high demand for flu vaccine this Fall, we will offer the flu vaccine is two stages.  Stage one involves those children who have higher risk, children younger than 5, and children with chronic medical conditions.  Stage 2 involves vaccination of anyone else who requires a flu vaccine.

We are planning on drive thru clinics for the flu vaccine due to Covid-19.  We will start scheduling flu clinics in stage one the week of September 21^st.  We anticipate opening to stage two by October.  As we receive more flu vaccine from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we will open more flu clinics.

Some people who get a flu vaccine may still get the flu, but remember that some studies have shown that vaccination makes illness less severe if you do get sick. 

Please schedule your flu vaccine by calling our office at (508)541-8000 starting on 9/21/20 if you are in stage 1.  We will send a message when stage 2 begins. OR- please feel free to obtain your flu vaccine at any available pharmacy.