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AUSTIN REGIONAL CLINIC OFFERS SEASONAL FLU SHOTS
September 2, 2009-
Austin Regional Clinic is now offering seasonal flu shots to its patients in all ARC primary care locations. This year’s flu vaccine protects against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. The flu vaccine can protect individuals from getting sick from these three viruses, or it can make the illness milder if an illness occurs due to a related but different strain of flu virus.
The vaccine for the novel H1N1 virus is NOT part of this vaccine. The U.S. Government plans to distribute H1N1 vaccine through the state health departments later this fall. Patients should check the ARC website regularly for updates on availability of the H1N1 vaccine and who should be vaccinated.
Seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for the general population, but especially for people who are at high risk of having significant complications from flu illness and for people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends annual immunization for flu for all children ages 6 months through 18 years of age. Flu vaccine is recommended for the following groups of people:
- Children 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- Pregnant women
- Family members and caretakers of children less than 5 years of age
- 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
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People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications with flu illness, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Flu vaccination in September and beyond should provide protection for the duration of the Central Texas flu season, which usually begins by November, peaks in January through March, and can last until April or May. Austin Regional Clinic sites have already begun to test for the flu, and have had a number of positive results.
“The flu vaccine is a simple and easy immunization that can result in effective protection against the virus,” said Dr. Russ Krienke, ARC Medical Director, “and it is covered by most insurance. ARC clinics have plenty of vaccine and we encourage our patients to get their flu shots from their physician.” ARC patients should call their regular physician’s office for appointments, and should check online about flu clinics that may be available at their physician’s office.
For more information about both seasonal and H1N1 flu, visit the ARC website, www.austinregionalclinic.com.
About Austin Regional Clinic –
Austin Regional Clinic is a multispecialty medical group committed to providing comprehensive health care services throughout the greater Austin area. Founded by three physicians in 1980, it now provides healthcare to over 240,000 area residents with 18 locations in six cities, including both primary and specialty care. It is unique to the Austin area because of the widespread locations, convenient services and quality assurance programs. ARC patients enjoy such conveniences as same-day appointments, daytime urgent care, after hours care, and nursing services via telephone through the night. Most ARC offices also offer on-site radiology and lab services and some offices offer specialty programs such as a travel clinic and weight loss programs. Patients can also request future or same-day appointments from the ARC web site.
For more information, visit www.austinregionalclinic.com.