University of Rochester Medical Center Flu Clinics Begin Sept. 7
“Getting the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available each year is the best way to protect your family, friends and co-workers through the whole flu season.” -- William Russell, MS, RN, CTH, Co-Director of the URMC Flu Program.
While the timing, severity and length of the 2011-12 flu season are difficult to forecast, getting a flu vaccine remains the best way to protect against the disease, which claims the lives of about 36,000 people each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This year’s vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness this year.
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Flu Prevention Program kicks off its 2011 season with its first public immunization clinic on Wednesday, September 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Penfield Recreation Center, 1985 Baird Rd. The program serves anyone age five years or older, and will offer more than 35 flu shot clinics throughout the community through mid-November.
For a complete list of all of the URMC public clinics, visit www.rochesterflu.org.
Program administrators anticipate the supplies of seasonal flu vaccine will be adequate to meet the needs of the entire season, but encourage early vaccination because seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October.
“Getting the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available each year is the best way to protect your family, friends and co-workers through the whole flu season,” said William Russell, MS, RN, CTH, Co-Director of the URMC Flu Program, which is staffed by nurses from the UR School of Nursing and has been providing public clinics in Rochester for over 12 years. “As always, our goal with the clinics is to provide expert, professional service and make it easy for people to get their shots, protect themselves and their loved ones, and keep our community healthy.”
The URMC program charges $30 for the seasonal flu shot. The program accepts and bills most major forms of health insurance directly to cover this cost at the time of service. However, some high deductible plans may bill patients separately for a co-pay or a portion of this cost. For medically qualified people, the nasal-spray flu vaccine is also available for a fee of $40. A photo I.D. and a current health insurance identification card are required for proof of insurance. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
The University of Rochester Medical Center Flu Prevention Program provides seasonal flu prevention to Rochester, Syracuse, and surrounding areas through a series of public clinics and on-site workplace clinics. Staffed by nurses from the University of Rochester School of Nursing, the program is an integral part of the School of Nursing’s community wellness efforts.
For a complete list of all URMC Flu Prevention Progam clinics, along with detailed information on the seasonal flu, visit www.rochesterflu.org or call (585) 275-4816.
URMC PUBLIC FLU CLINICS -- SEPTEMBER 2011
Wed. Sept. 7: 9 am-1 pm, Penfield Recreation Center, 1985 Baird Rd., Penfield
Fri. Sept. 9: 9 am-4 pm, Greece Town Hall, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd., Rochester
Sat. Sept. 10: 9 am-1 pm, Public Market, 60 Pennsylvania Ave., Rochester
Mon. Sept. 12: 9am-1 pm, Italian American Center,150 Frank DiMino Way, Rochester
Thurs. Sept. 15: 9 am-1 pm, Perinton Community Center, 1350 Turk Hill Rd., Fairport
Thurs. Sept. 15: 11 am-1 pm, Tops Markets, 1100 Jefferson Rd., Henrietta
Fri. Sept. 16: 7 am-4 pm, Riverside Convention Center, 123 East Main Street, Rochester
Sat. Sept. 17: 11 am-1 pm, Tops Markets, 6272 Furnace Rd., Ontario
Mon. Sept. 19: 1 pm-2 pm, Wheatland Senior Center, 22 Main St., Scottsville
Wed. Sept. 21: 9 am-11 am, Ogden Senior Center, 200 South Union St., Spencerport
Wed. Sept. 21: 9 am-1pm, Chili Senior Center, 3235 Chili Ave., Rochester
Thurs. Sept. 22: 10 am-1 pm, Tops Markets, 1601 Penfield Rd., Penfield
Fri. Sept. 23: 7 am-2 pm, Riverside Convention Center, 123 East Main St., Rochester
Fri. Sept. 23: 9 am-12 pm, Wheatland Town Hall, 22 Main St., Scottsville
Fri. Sept. 23: 3 pm-6 pm, Tops Markets, 1900 Clinton Ave. S., Rochester
Sat. Sept. 24: 10 am-1 pm, Tops Markets, 3507 Mt. Read Blvd., Rochester
Sat. Sept. 24: 10 am-1 pm, Tops Markets, 1800 Lake Rd., Hamlin
Sat. Sept. 25: 9 am-1 pm, Chili Fire Department, 3231 Chili Ave., Rochester
Wed. Sept. 28: 10 am-1 pm Tops Markets, 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd., Fairport
Thurs. Sept. 29: 11am-1 pm Tops Markets, 2345 Buffalo Rd., Gates
Fri. Sept. 30: 12:30 pm-3:30 pm, Gates Senior Center, 1605 Buffalo Rd., Rochester
Fri. Sept. 30: 8 am-12 pm, Eastside YMCA, 1835 Route 250, Penfield
Influenza Background
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, but can start as early as October and extend through May. 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. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that only a fraction of Americans who should get a flu vaccine are actually being immunized. The CDC now recommends that all people six months of age and older should get an annual flu vaccine. Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of severe influenza and complications, including pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes.