School of Nursing to Begin Public Flu Clinics Oct. 4

September 26, 2007

With a solid vaccine supply in hand, Health Checkpoint at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s School of Nursing’s Center for Nursing Entrepreneurship is set to launch its public and corporate flu clinic schedule for 2007 at the annual Senator Alesi Health Fair Oct. 4 at the Dome Center in Henrietta. In all, the non profit flu clinic provider plans to hold more than 30 public and 150 corporate flu clinics over the next few months, so long as vaccine supply holds steady.  

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that only a fraction of Americans who should get a flu vaccine are actually being immunized. Though last year’s flu season was mild, health officials are unable to forecast the severity of the upcoming flu season, and therefore encourage all eligible residents to obtain a flu shot. This is especially true for people 50 and over, children six to 59 months of age, and those with a greater risk of complications from the flu including pregnant women, and people of any age with certain medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.

Medicare, and most Excellus and Preferred Care managed care products cover the cost of receiving a flu shot; insurance ID cards are necessary for proof of insurance. Otherwise, there is a $30 fee for the vaccine. Health Checkpoint clinics are for people nine years and older. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A list of all public clinics, along with detailed information on the flu, can be obtained at http://www.rochesterflu.org/, or by calling (585) 273-5271.

OCTOBER PUBLIC FLU CLINICS

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	ADDRESS
Thurs. Oct. 4	10am-4pm	Alesi Health Fair	Dome Center, 2695 E. Henrietta Rd.
Fri. Oct. 5	9am-6pm	Greece Town Hall	1 Vince Tofany Blvd., off Long Pond Rd.
Sat. Oct. 6	9am-1pm	Greece Town Hall	1 Vince Tofany Blvd., off Long Pond Rd.
Mon. Oct. 8	2pm-6pm	Brighton Recreation Center	Brookside School, 220 Idlewood Rd.
Mon. Oct. 8	9am-1pm	Hegedorn's	964 Ridge Rd., Webster
Tues. Oct. 9	9am-2pm	Italian American Community Center	150 Frank Dimino Way, off Manitou Rd.
Wed. Oct. 10	9am-4pm	Irondequoit Senior Center	154 Pinegrove Ave., off St. Paul Blvd.
Thurs. Oct. 11	9am-6pm	Perinton Community Center	1350 Turk Hill Rd.
Fri. Oct. 12	9am-4pm	Greece Town Hall	1 Vince Tofany Blvd., off Long Pond Rd.
Sun. Oct. 14	9am-1pm	Mendon Fire Hall	101 Mendon-Ionia Rd.
Mon. Oct. 15	1pm-5pm	Penfield Recreation Center	1985 Baird Rd.
Tues. Oct. 16	9am-12pm	Dome Center	2695 E. Henrietta Rd.
Tues. Oct. 16	9am-1pm	Brighton Recreation Center	Brookside School, 220 Idlewood Rd.
Wed. Oct. 17	9am-1pm	Italian American Community Center	150 Frank Dimino Way, off Manitou Rd.
Wed. Oct. 17	2pm-7pm	Finger Gaming + Racetrack	Rte. 96, Farmington
Thurs. Oct. 18	9am-1pm	Hegedorn's	964 Ridge Rd., Webster
Thurs. Oct. 18	9am-1pm	Perinton Community Center	1350 Turk Hill Rd.
Fri. Oct. 19	12:30pm-4:30pm	Gates Community Center	1605 Buffalo Rd.
Sat. Oct. 20	9am-1pm	Brighton Fire Dept.	3100 East Ave.
Sun. Oct. 21	9am-1pm	Red Cross-Canandaigua	5297 Parkside Dr.
Mon. Oct. 22	1pm-4pm	Dome Center	2695 E. Henrietta Rd.
Tues. Oct. 23	7am-1pm	Eastside YMCA	1835 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd.
Wed. Oct 24	9am-2pm	Penfield Recreation Center	1985 Baird Rd.
Sat. Oct. 27	9am-2pm	Ridge-Culver Fire Dept.	2960 Culver Rd.
Sun. Oct. 28	9am-2pm	Gates Fire Hall	2355 Chili Ave.
Sun. Oct. 28	10am-2pm	Medley Centre	Irondequoit, Express Store-Flag Entrance

Background on Influenza

The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory illness that is easily spread from person to person. Symptoms include: fever, sore throat, muscle ache, chills and headache. Peak influenza activity usually occurs from late December through March. Each year, approximately 36,000 people die from flu or its complications and more than 200,000 hospitalizations occur. A new flu shot is developed each year based upon the strains of flu expected to be circulating. In addition to getting a flu shot, health officials stress other preventive measures such as thorough and frequent hand washing and staying home if ill with respiratory symptoms, to prevent exposing others.

# # #