Essentia Health To Host Vaccine Events

As October approaches, flu season is just around the corner and Essentia Health will be taking steps to help the community by bringing back their vaccine walk-in events throughout October this year at several of their clinic locations. Every year the Center for Disease Control estimates the number of children under the age of 5 who are hospitalized with the flu to be between 6,000-25,000 just in the United States.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 90% of those same children that are hospitalized aren’t vaccinated against the virus. The current recommendation for children 6 months of age or older is still an annual influenza vaccination and according to Essentia Health’s Dr. Dhilhan Marasinghe those vaccines remain one of the most effective preventative measures to keep your kids safe from the illness.

The Brainerd branch, the St. Joseph Clinic, will be having weekly Saturday flu vaccine events the 1st 4 weeks of October that will each run from 9am to 1pm and while walk-ins are welcome it is still preferred that you call in ahead for an appointment.

The Detroit Lakes location will also be having their Spooktacular Flu Event on Saturday October 24th from 9am to 11:30am. The event will include Halloween themed games and prizes for kids while they get their vaccines and will be open for all children age 6 months and older.

For more information, visit https://www.essentiahealth.org/services/vaccines-immunizations/getting-your-vaccines