East Hartford Health Department to Offer Vaccination Clinics to the Public
East Hartford, CT – The East Hartford Health Department is offering residents, aged 12 and older, two flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Senior Center located at 15 Milbrook Drive during the month of October. Clinics are scheduled on Friday, October 13th from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and on Friday, October 27th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Regular and high-dose flu vaccines will be available at both clinics; updated COVID-19 vaccines will be available as inventory allows.
Appointments can be scheduled for the Senior Center clinics by contacting the East Hartford Health Department at 860-291-7324 (option 1). Walk-ins are welcome at both clinics, and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Residents are advised to bring their insurance and ID cards; however, no one will be turned away. To speak with a public health nurse about vaccine recommendations or to check the availability COVID-19 vaccine at an upcoming clinic, please contact the health department. Health Department staff can also assist residents with identifying local flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinics for a child under the age of 12 years. The Town of East Hartford will announce flu and COVID-19 community clinics as additional dates and locations are scheduled.
“The Health Department recommends all eligible individuals to receive both your COVID-19 and flu shot to reduce your risk of severe illness and hospitalization during this viral respiratory season,” said Director of Health Laurence Burnsed. “Getting vaccinated is especially important for individuals at high risk of severe illness, including persons 65 years and older, pregnant people, persons with underlying conditions, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and immunocompromising conditions.”
It’s also important for persons that provide care or have a high-risk family member within their household to reduce the risk of exposing high-risk contacts.
The East Hartford Health Department recommends that all people ages 6 months and older receive one updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine regardless of their previous vaccination status. Children 4 years of age and under may need additional doses depending on their COVID-19 vaccination history and the vaccine formula. For both Moderna and Pfizer, the updated 2023-2024 formulation is a monovalent vaccine based on the Omicron XBB.1.5 sublineage of SARS-CoV-2. The bivalent formulation (Original and Omicron BA.4/BA.5) is no longer in use. Though formulated to produce antibodies for the XBB.1.5 variant, recent studies suggest that the updated COVID-19 vaccine will also provide protection against other variants in circulation.
The East Hartford Health Department encourages residents to make a plan if you are eligible to receive your flu and/or COVID-19 vaccines. There is no need to stagger vaccines so if you’re due for both – you can get your flu shot and your updated COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. Based on the data and evidence available to date, the Health Department stresses that these updated shots are safe and effective.
Date: Friday October 13, 2023
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: Senior Center, Creative Arts Room
15 Milbrook Drive
Date: Friday October 27, 2023
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Location: Senior Center, Creative Arts Room
15 Milbrook Drive
For more information about vaccination recommendations and health department clinic options, please visit the East Hartford Health Department flu and COVID-19 vaccine webpage.