Seasonal Flu vaccines will be available at all school sites in St. Mary’s County in October and parents are encouraged to allow their children to receive this vaccine.

 While this vaccine will not prevent the H1N1 flu, preventing incidences of seasonal flu is acutely important this year. The school clinics begin in the elementary schools on Oct. 1 and will be held in all middle and high schools by Oct. 29.

Clinics for the public begin on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at Leonardtown High School from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The seasonal flu vaccine will also be provided by St. Mary’s Hospital to those 18 years and older, on Saturday, October 24 at the Fall Family Fitness Festival at Leonard Hall Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Additional Health Dept. clinics will be Oct. 27 at Chopticon High School from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday, Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Health Fair at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. The Health Dept asks for a $20 donation for flu shots. Many insurance plans cover the cost of the shots. Most customers with Medicare will have no co-pay.

The vaccine for the H1N1 flu is still under development, but will be available in St. Mary’s County this fall. If the vaccine is available at the time of the public clinics, H1N1 will be offered.  Watch for notifications or call the St. Mary’s County Health Department at 301 475-4330 or visit the website at www.smchd.org.

For additional information about the flu, log on to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s website at www.dhmh.state.md.us or call the toll free phone line at 1-877-4MD-DHMH.