FMCH offering Wednesday flu shot clinics

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BY PCC STAFF

FORT MADISON - Although it seems hard to believe it is time to start thinking flu season again. Fort Madison Community Hospital is encouraging all community members to get their annual flu vaccine. This year’s flu vaccine will help protect you from four identified strains of the flu virus that research indicates will be most common during the 2017-18 flu season. This year’s vaccine is a quadrivalent flu vaccine that is designed to protect against four different flu viruses; two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses.

The CDC recommends that all persons receive the flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible before flu activity begins. It takes two weeks after you receive the flu vaccine for it to be effective and then will stay effective throughout the flu season. However, getting vaccinated later can still be beneficial.

Fort Madison Physicians & Surgeons Clinic is offering flu shots on a walk-in basis Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. starting September 6th through December 20th in the Main Clinic (times are subject to change based on demand). Flu shots will be offered to members of the community for a cash discounted fee of $25.00 per shot payable at the time of service. Insurance will also be accepted and filed and it will become part of your medical record.

“The flu vaccine is an important part of your good health. It will help you avoid getting the flu; make the flu less severe if you do get it; and keep you from spreading the flu to your family and other people,” expressed Heather Oppenheimer, Infection Prevention Nurse at FMCH, “Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalizations and sometimes even death. Even a mild case of the flu can leave you unable to work or perform normal daily activities for several days.”

Fort Madison Community Hospital has implemented mandatory flu vaccines for all employees. All employees are required to receive the flu vaccine to help stop the spread of flu and to protect patients, the employee and their families.

In addition to receiving the flu vaccine, everyone can take everyday precautions to stay healthy and help stop the spread of the flu. The influenza virus is spread mainly by coughing, sneezing and close contact so it is important that you wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer to stop the spread of germs; cover your coughs or sneezes by coughing or sneezing into your elbow; keep your hands away from your face – eyes, nose and mouth are key entry points for germs; stay away from sick people if possible. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others.

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