Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Seasonal Flu Vaccines Available Saturday

Have you had your seasonal flu shot yet? Northwest Hospital is hosting a Community Seasonal Flu Vaccination Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, October 24. Vaccinations will take place in the Pikes-Reister-Owings Educational Rooms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine is the most important step in protecting against seasonal flu, as it protects against the three most common seasonal viruses. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people over the age of 65. Each year more than 200,00 people in the United States are hospitalized with seasonal flu complications, and 36,000 die.

This vaccine does not protect against H1N1 influenza.

You should not get the flu shot if you have:
  • Severe allergy to eggs or egg products.
  • Allergy to Thimerosol (a preservative), other than having a contact lens sensitivity.
  • A history of Guillain-BarrĂ© syndrome.
  • Previous severe (life-threatening) allergic reaction to the flu vaccine.

Community members wishing to obtain the vaccine will be directed to park on the physician's parking lot and will enter through the physician's entrance.

In order to provide a smooth flow of traffic and adequate parking for employees and community members obtaining the flu shot, the receiving court driveway on Carlson Lane (leading to the physician's lot) will be closed to employee traffic between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Employees arriving at and leaving Northwest Hospital during those hours will be required to enter via the Emergency Room Ambulance and directed by Security to park in the B-Lot. Physicians are asked to park in the C-Lot, the E-Lot (ER) physician spaces, or security will gladly direct them to spaces on the A-Lot adjacent to the ASB Building. We ask that physicians also please enter via the employee entrance to avoid any line may accumulate waiting to obtain the vaccination.

We hope to see you on Saturday!

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