Boston Flu Update: 7,000+ Vaccinated, 8 Deaths

Several major pharmacies were out of the flu vaccination early this week but are expected to get shipments in soon.

More than 7,000 Boston residents received their flu shots last weekend, following Mayor Thomas Menino’s declaration of a public health emergency. As of Tuesday, the virus had led to at least eight confirmed deaths in the city, including one child under the age of six and seven adults over age 65, according to Dr. Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “We have over 900 confirmed cases and eight deaths [in Boston],” Ferrer said. “Influenza-like illness at emergency rooms is running at a little over 5 percent [of all cases], which is very, very high.” Despite the city's ongoing issues with the virus, Ferrer said she was pleased with the turnout over the weekend at Boston clinics. “We vaccinated over 7,000 …

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Mom Talk

Flu Emergency? It Could Be Worse

“Piggy,” my daughter’s new boar-bristle hairbrush, sends my youngest running, shrieking at the thought of its real-animal, scratchy touch. I don’t dare tell her about 2009 and the swine flu.

Mayor Thomas Menino’s declaration of a public health emergency this week reminded me of the last time we took the flu so seriously, during the 2009 pandemic. On an October Saturday that year, my family stood in line for 2 1/2 hours with one Red Sox player, his wife and kids, and dozens of others at our pediatric practice to receive the H1N1 vaccine. At the end of that line lay nasal mist, thankfully, no injections. Because a month before, our children had already received the seasonal vaccine. And they needed another dose of H1N1 spray one month after the first to provide protection. We made three doctor’s visits just for the kids' flu vaccines that year, but I was relieved to do it. The unfortunately named "swine flu," which contains …

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Report: Child in Boston Dies from Flu

WHDH is reporting the death of a six-year-old, as the city continues to be under a public health emergency.

A fifth person in Boston has died from the flu—a child under the age of six, WHDH reported Friday. The Boston news station had no further details but said city health officials had confirmed the death. On Wednesday, during a press conference declaring a public health emergency in Boston, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission, reported that four people had died already this season from flu-related complications. All four of the individuals were 65 years or older. Residents in both age groups—over 65 and around five and under—are at particular risk to develop serious problems because of the flu, as are pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions, Ferrer said. Across Massachusetts, 18 …

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Boston Flu Clinics Scheduled This Weekend

City officials are urging all residents ages 6 months and up to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu.

[UPDATED Thursday, 2 p.m.] With the mayor declaring the city's influenza outbreak to be a "public health emergency," officials are working to set up a large number of free immunization sites around the city this weekend. All Boston residents ages six months and older are eligible to receive free immunizations against the seasonal flu. Boston Public Health Commission officials are hoping to see thousands of residents get their flu shots this weekend—in particular, those who are most at risk for health complications related to the flu, such as children under five years of age, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease and kidney problems. All clinics are open to residents of any …

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Where to Get Flu Shots in Charlestown

Here's where to get an influenza vaccine, how to recognize symptoms and what to know about treatment if you get sick.

Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States. This time last year, flu cases were lower in Massachusetts than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. Overall in Massachusetts, activity is considered high now, while it was considered moderate at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends. If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in and around Charlestown that offer the vaccine: The City of Boston is also offering a series of free flu clinics this month. Clinics are scheduled for Dec. 16, 17, 18 and 19 at St. Anthony’s Shrine Free Flu Clinic (100 Arch St.). All clinics are free for Boston residents age three years and above. See the full calendar here.  According to this week's CDC Flu …

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Free Flu Clinics Offered to Boston Residents

Influenza vaccines are being administered at several locations.

Boston residents can get free flu shots during public clinics sponsored by the city throughout the month of December.  The clinics offer vaccinations against the influenza virus, commonly referred to as "the flu." Dr. Anita Barry, director of the Commission's Infectious Disease Bureau, stressed the importance of the vaccine in guarding against widespread illness. "A person needs a flu vaccine every year and should get vaccinated to protect not only themselves but also their close contacts and their community," she said in a statement. The following groups are considered high-risk and should get vaccinated as soon as possible: Free clinics will be held on Dec. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 and 19 at St. Anthony’s Shrine Free Flu Clinic (100 …

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