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September 30, 2013

Protect Yourself from Flu

Why get a Flu shot at Avance Care?

Avance Care gives more than the Flu Vaccine!

  • Unlike Pharmacies, Avance Care is always staffed with certified Physicians and/or a certified Nurse Practitioner to answer any questions that you may have regarding your vaccine.
  • No appointment necessary…just walk-in!
  • Flu shot for all – age 6 months and above
  • Cost of the vaccine: Avance Care accepts most major healthcare plans, therefore cost of your vaccine maybe fully covered by your plan eliminating your out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost of the Flu vaccine is $25. Avance Care will file the cost of the vaccine with insurance plans that we participate with. All deductibles and applicable co-insurances will be the responsibility of the patient if there is no secondary coverage. Some insurance plans do cover the cost at 100%, please contact your insurance plan representative.

Wondering if you and your family should come to Avance Care to get the flu vaccine? Here’s information to help you decide.

Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease.

Flu is caused by the influenza virus, which can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or nasal secretions. Anyone can get influenza, but rates of infection are highest among children. For most people, symptoms last only a few days. They include:

  • fever/chills
  • sore throat
  • muscle aches
  • fatigue
  • cough
  • headache
  • runny or stuffy nose

Other illnesses can have the same symptoms and are often mistaken for influenza. Young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions – such as heart, lung or kidney disease, or a weakened immune system – can get much sicker. Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia, and make existing medical conditions worse. It can cause diarrhea and seizures in children. Each year thousands of people die from influenza and even more require hospitalization. By getting flu vaccine you can protect yourself from influenza and may also avoid spreading influenza to others.

Influenza viruses are always changing, so annual vaccination is recommended. Each year scientists try to match the viruses in the vaccine to those most likely to cause flu that year. Flu vaccine will not prevent disease from other viruses, including flu viruses not contained in the vaccine.

It takes up to 2 weeks for protection to develop after the shot. Protection lasts about a year.

What exactly is the flu?

Influenza (also called the flu) is a viral infection in the nose, throat and lungs. Roughly 5% to 20% of Americans get the flu each year. Close to 200,000 people are hospitalized each year due to influenza and some 36,000 die because of complications from the flu.

Prevention is key and flu vaccines help make prevention possible.

Who should be vaccinated?

Most people should get a flu shot. Some people have a higher risk of flu complications, like pneumonia, and should get the vaccine early (October) so they’re adequately protected before flu season hits.

Who is at higher risk?

  • Children aged 6 months to their 19th birthday
  • People 50 years of age and older
  • All women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season
  • Residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
  • Individuals who have long-term health problems
  • Children aged 6 months to 18 years who are on chronic aspirin therapy
  • Health care workers who have direct contact with patients
  • Caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months of age.

Who should not get a flu shot?

  • People who have had an allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past
  • People with an allergy to eggs
  • Infants under 6 months of age
  • People who previously developed Guillain-Barre Syndrone, a rare medical condition that affects the immune system and nerves
  • People who have a fever

When should I get vaccinated?

Experts suggest getting the flu vaccine before Thanksgiving but getting vaccinated makes sense any time during flu season which may last from October to May.

Do I need to be vaccinated every year?

Yes, flu viruses change, so flu vaccines must change, too. Each year’s vaccine is unique, cultivated from the flu strains health officials believe will be most common that year.

For additional information, click on the links below:

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