School of Nursing Reports Slower Than Usual Flu Clinics

October 25, 2007

With more than three-quarters of its flu clinics completed, Health Checkpoint officials at the University of Rochester’s School of Nursing’s Center for Nursing Entrepreneurship report extremely slow traffic at its flu clinics. As one of the area’s largest providers of flu shots, offered through public and corporate flu clinics, Health Checkpoint says it has given out half as much flu vaccine when compared with years past.

            “We’re not quite sure what is behind this dramatic drop in traffic – it could be that people just aren’t thinking of flu with all of the warm weather we’ve had in October,” said Bill Russell, R.N., director of immunization services at Health Checkpoint. “We need to remind people that the flu is a very serious illness that kills 36,000 people each year, and hospitalizes more than 200, 000 as a result of complications.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) consistently reports that the flu shot is the best way to avoid getting the flu and giving it to others.”

            Flu vaccine continues to be in abundant supply this season, even as data from the CDC 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.

UPCOMING PUBLIC FLU CLINICS:  OCTOBER

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	ADDRESS
Friday Oct. 26	9 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Irondequoit Senior Center	154 Pinegrove Ave. , off St. Paul Blvd
Sat. Oct. 27	9 a.m.- 2 p.m.	Ridge-Culver Fire Dept.	2960 Culver Rd.
Sunday Oct. 28	9 a.m.- 2 p.m.	Gates Fire Hall	2355 Chili Ave.
Sunday Oct. 28	10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Medley Centre	Irondequiot, Express Store-Flag Entrance
Monday Oct. 29	8 a.m. -  noon	Medley Centre	Irondequiot, Express Store-Flag Entrance
Tues. Oct. 30	9 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Brighton Recreation Center	Brookside School, 220 Idlewood Rd.
Wed. Oct. 31	9 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Hegedorn's	964 Ridge Rd., Webster

See next page for November flu clinics

UPCOMING PUBLIC FLU CLINICS:  OCTOBER

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	ADDRESS
Sat. Nov. 3	9 a.m.- 2 p.m.	Laurelton Fire Dept.	405 Empire Blvd., Irondequoit
Sunday Nov. 4	9 a.m.- 2 p.m.	Victor Fire Hall	34 Maple St. (Rte. 444), off Rte. 96
Tues. Nov. 6	9 a.m.- 2 p.m.	Canandaigua YMCA	25 N. Main St.
Sat. Nov. 10	9 a.m.- 2 p.m.	West Webster Fire Dept.	1051 Gravel Rd., off Empire Blvd.
Sat. Nov. 10	9 a.m.- 2 p.m.	Brighton Fire Dept.	3100 East Ave.
Sunday Nov. 11	9 a.m.- 2 p.m.	Chili Fire Dept.	3231 Chili Ave., Company #1
Sat. Nov. 17	9 a.m. -1 p.m.	Pittsford Fire Hall	8 Monroe Ave., Station #1

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.