HMG prepares for coming flu season; offers flu vaccine clinics throughout the region

Thursday, September 20, 2007

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - With October signaling the beginning of the 2007-2008 flu season, Holston Medical Group is preparing residents of the Tri-Cities by offering “Flu Vaccine Clinics” at specified HMG locations throughout the region. While each of HMG’s primary care locations will provide the flu vaccine for as long as supplies last, the HMG Flu Clinics are set up to provide more rapid service without the need for an appointment.

“The flu is the number one most common vaccine-preventable illness,” says HMG’s Joseph Ley, MD, FAAP. “On average, there are 36,000 to 38,000 deaths each year in the U.S. from influenza.”

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their risk of contracting the flu can get vaccinated.

However, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta, indivdiuals who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications should be vaccinated.

This list includes:

People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

• Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday
• Pregnant women
• People 50 years of age and older
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities

People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinate
• Healthcare workers

HMG’s Flu Clinics will provide flu vaccine immunizations to both HMG patients and non-HMG patients. Most commercial insurance plans cover the cost of flu immunizations. However, in the event someone does not have insurance, the cost will be $30.

Flu Vaccine Clinic locations, dates and times include:

Kingsport

Indian Path Medical Office Building
2204 Pavilion Drive, Suite 200
September 24- 26, 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m

MeadowView Lane Professional Center
2033 MeadowView Lane, Suite 110
September 27-28, 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m.

Church Hill

HMG Primary Care at Church Hill
406 E. Main Blvd.
September 24-25, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Colonial Heights

HMG Primary Care at Colonial Heights
4848 Fort Henry Drive
October 13, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Bristol

Sapling Grove Professional Building
240 Medical Park Blvd., Suite 1000
September 26-28, 12 Noon to 8:00 p.m.

Duffield

HMG Primary Care at Duffield
198 Ross Carter Blvd.
September 26-27, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information or directions, please visit www.holstonmedicalgroup.com.