Jan. 24, 2002 – The Health Department is offering free influenza shots Friday on St. Thomas and St. John and a week from Friday on St. Croix.
"Any other time you can get the shot, but it's not going to be for free," Health Department spokesman Lee Vanterpool said.
The schedule:
On St. Thomas — at Roy L. Schneider Hospital from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday.
On St. John — at the Coral Bay fire station from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. (The Health Department earlier provided free shots at other locations around the island.)
On St. Croix — at the Charles Harwood Complex from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 1.
Health Commissioner Mavis Matthew noted that flu is a serious disease caused by a virus. She said that anyone with a compromised immune system; people past the age of 60; anyone with heart, lung or kidney disease; and anyone who works in the health care professions should get the shots.
Additionally, anyone with a job essential to community services and those who simply want to reduce their chances of catching the flu should get the shots.
Vanterpool said that even if you get a shot after being exposed to the flu, your symptoms will be milder.