October 5, 2007

Midtown Mercy Plans Flu Vaccination Clinics

The Midtown Mercy Medical Clinic, 1125 Pierce St., will host special flu vaccination clinics from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9 and Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The cost for a flu shot will be $25. Medicare patients will be required to present their Medicare ID card.
Appointments are encouraged and can be made by calling (712) 258-6780.

Seasonal influenza is among the most lethal killers of Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), because the virus affects so many people – 5% to 20% of the U.S. population every year. Most people who get this contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus recover in a week or two without complications. But each year, more than 200,000 people have complications severe enough to send them to the hospital. And another 36,000 die each year from seasonal influenza.

“Flu vaccination is still the single best practice for protecting yourself against influenza,” says Dr. Greg Halbur, a physician at the Midtown Mercy Medical Clinic. “We urge our patients to seriously consider getting a flu shot this fall.”

“While the vaccine is available to anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting influenza this fall or winter, vaccination is especially important for children 6 months to 59 months of age, people ages 50 and older, and women who will be pregnant during the influenza season,” Dr. Halbur adds.

Vaccination is also recommended for children and teenagers (ages 6 months to 18 years) who must take aspirin regularly and therefore might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome if they get influenza. Adults and children with chronic heart and lung conditions (including asthma), chronic metabolic conditions, or a weakened immune system should also talk with their healthcare provider about the importance of getting a flu shot.

Infection-fighting antibodies develop about two weeks after vaccination.