Category: Flu Shots
Seasonal Flu Clinics Open; Maxim Health Systems Offers 35,000 Nationwide
Steve Pellito
National Director of Wellness
Maxim Health Systems
410-910-1164
steve.pellito@maximwellness.com
SEASONAL FLU CLINICS OPEN
MAXIM HEALTH SYSTEMS OFFERS 35,000 CLINICS NATIONWIDE
September 30, 2009 –Maxim Health Systems announced today that its more than 35,000 seasonal flu clinics nationwide will be open by tomorrow, October 1. Maxim’s program aims to increase the number of people who get vaccinated, since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that it is the single most effective way to prevent the virus. A new Web site sponsored by Maxim, info.findaflushot.com, helps users quickly find convenient flu clinics based on zip codes, as well as educate themselves about the virus.
“While we wait for safety and efficacy studies on the new H1N1 vaccine, we should all be getting our flu vaccines as early as possible this fall. Please don’t wait – get vaccinated when clinics open,” says Bonnie Offit, MD, FAAP, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Maxim will provide flu shot clinics this year at convenient retail locations, such as pharmacies, supermarkets, and other public venues. Finding the nearest location is as simple as typing in your zip code on info.findaflushot.com. This will provide the address, date, and times for flu shots at local clinics. The Web site also provides the latest news on influenza and links to other resources. For those who prefer to find a convenient location over the phone, Maxim provides a toll free number at 877-962-9358. A resource dedicated to questions about H1N1 (“Swine Flu”) is also available this year at h1n1.findaflushot.com, which is updated with information as it is made available.
Each year in the United States, an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets influenza, 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications, and about 36,000 people die from the illness. The CDC strongly encourages high-risk individuals to get vaccinated. This includes:
- Anyone who wants to reduce the risk of contracting the flu
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu
- People at high risk of having serious complications from influenza, including:
- All children from six months through 18 years of age
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
“Flu season is here, and the CDC is recommending that more Americans than ever get vaccinated,” said Steve Pellito, National Director of Wellness for Maxim Health Systems. “Everyone who is at risk for complications from the flu and those who would like to reduce the likelihood of contracting the virus can visit our Web site at info.findaflushot.com to find a local seasonal flu shot clinic,” Pellito recommends.
Maxim provides flu shots to children aged 9 and older unless restricted by a state regulation or law. By calling the clinic site ahead of time (information also provided on the Maxim Web site), parents can verify that their children can receive the vaccine. For children under 9 years of age, parents should contact their pediatrician. Maxim accepts Medicare Part B with no co-pay required, when Medicare Part B is the primary insurance.
About Maxim Health Systems
Maxim Health Systems is a division of Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. Established in 1996, Maxim Health Systems offers a full line of comprehensive wellness services to corporate and retail clients, in addition to schools, senior living facilities, and Physician offices. We provide a variety of services, including immunizations, health screenings, and health fairs. In 2008, our flu immunization program alone was responsible for vaccinating more than 2.5 million people at more than 44,000 clinics. Together with Maxim Healthcare Services, we have branch locations in most metropolitan areas across the nation. For more information contact us at http://info.findaflushot.com/contact-us.
The Flu Shot: Seniors’ Best Bet for Avoiding Influenza
Everyone knows how miserable the flu can be: fever, body aches, dry cough, headaches, and a sore throat that can last anywhere from a few days to weeks. Each year, between five and twenty percent of the population is infected with the flu and over 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications. For some people, flu is a mild illness. However, few people realize that in many cases, the flu can be deadly, especially for seniors. In the U.S. each year, the flu and its complications cause more deaths than breast cancer,[1] and two to three times as many deaths as HIV/AIDS.[2] Ninety percent of flu-related deaths occur in those 65 years of age and older.
The good news is that getting a flu shot is the single most effective way to prevent the flu. On average, the flu vaccine reduces the risk of death by fifty percent within the senior population. Medicare will pay for the shot (when Medicare Part B is the primary medical insurance), and so will many private health insurance plans. Flu shots are offered at a variety of locations, including senior facilities, public health facilities, churches, doctors’ offices, and retail locations, such as pharmacies and grocery stores. Maxim Health Systems provides flu clinics nationwide at locations such as these, which can be searched for on info.findaflushot.com. Visitors to the site can locate the flu clinic locations nearest to them by simply typing in their zip code. The Web site also provides flu news, FAQs, and other important resources.
Contrary to a popular myth, you cannot get the flu from the vaccine since it is made from inactive influenza viruses. Keep in mind that even if you received a flu shot last year, you still need to receive another one this year to remain protected. Each year the flu strain changes and a new vaccine is developed to provide the best possible protection.
Good health habits like covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and washing your hands often can also help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. Remember to wash your hands frequently when you are around someone who is sick and make a point of washing them before eating and touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you can, avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are not feeling well, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. This will help stop the flu from spreading.
Still have questions about the flu and the flu vaccine? Go to info.findaflushot.com to learn more and to find a flu clinic in your area.
[1] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Breast Cancer Statistics,” http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/
[2] HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report: HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2005, http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/