January 11, 2013

Mayor Emanuel Encourages Chicagoans to Stay Healthy and Get a Flu Shot

Mayor Got His Flu Shot this Afternoon at the Uptown Neighborhood Health Center

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

This afternoon, Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited the Uptown Neighborhood Health Center to get his flu shot and remind Chicagoans of the importance of flu shots and that it is not too late to get one.

“It’s not too late to get your flu shot, and getting vaccinated is especially important with the increase in flu cases this season,” said Mayor Emanuel. “There are commonsense ways to keep yourself healthy this winter, and we are working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get a flu shot, with fast-track immunization clinics across the city and an interactive online map tool to make it easy to find neighborhood locations.”

Also this afternoon, the Chicago Department of Public Health hosted a Twitter chat that allowed Chicagoans to ask their flu-related questions to Dr. Julie Morita, the CDPH Immunization Medical Director. In the span of once hour, there were over 140 tweets that were seen by over 177,000 people. Dr. Morita responded to 25 questions, shared online resources and communicated flu-related tips.

Chicagoans are encouraged to log on to the City’s easy-to-use, interactive map to find a location near them to get a flu shot, and more information about how to stay healthy is readily available on CDPH’s website.

CDPH recommends that individuals receive vaccinations from their own doctor or other regular health care provider.  For those without a health care provider, there also are other convenient, affordable opportunities to get a flu shot, including retail pharmacies and CDPH Fast-Track Immunization Clinics.

CDPH Fast-Track Immunization Clinics provide flu vaccinations at no charge for adults and children six months and older.  Clinics are open five days a week in several locations across Chicago.  For locations and hours of operation, click here.  Additionally, the CDPH Mobile Immunization CareVan offers free immunizations.  

Photo Caption: Mayor Rahm Emanuel receives a flu shot at the Uptown Neighborhood Health Center in Chicago.

Photo Credit: Brooke Collins // City of Chicago

 

 

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