Barbara Murphy cringed, ready for the worst. But as soon as she could turn her head, grit her teeth and brace for what she thought would be the painful prick of a needle, it was over.
"That was easy. Piece of cake," said Murphy as public health nurse Pauline Pochette of the Stamford Dept. of Health and Social Services prepared to administer her next vaccination.
Murphy was among the first group of Stamford residents receiving the flu vaccine this season. About 30 gathered in the Government Center lobby Tuesday morning to kick off the program.
The vaccine is being offered through the "Fight the Flu" campaign, a partnership of the city and Stamford Hospital. This is the program's 12th consecutive year. Unlike last year, when the H1N1/swine flu virus presented the need for two vaccines one for H1N1 and another for the seasonal flu this year's vaccine protects against both in a single dose.
"We think it'll be more of a regular seasonal flu this year," said Dr. Michael Parry, Stamford Hospital's director of infectious diseases and microbiology, adding that he expects demand for the vaccine to decrease in November.
Anne Fountain, interim director of the Dept. of Health and Social Services, said residents still should take measures to guard against the flu, such as washing hands frequently and staying home when sick.
"I think it's really important that we take the precautions we need to avoid getting sick and keep our loved ones from getting sick," she said.
That's why Murphy decided to get the vaccine.
"I don't want to be someone who might carry it and spread it," she said. "Why not be proactive?"
Visit http://www.thedailystamford.com/wellness/protect-against-flu-get-immunized for days and times the vaccine is being offered this season, as well as cost/Medicare coverage.
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