October 16, 2003
Drive Away The Flu
Genesis and Clinton County VNA Offer Drive-Thru Flu Clinic
Davenport, IA - Roll in, roll up and drive away with the comfort of knowing this year's flu bug won't leave you stranded on the highway of life.
Genesis and Clinton County Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) will hold a drive-thru flu clinic on Saturday, October 18, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., at John Keady's GM Superstore, I-74 and Kimberly Road in Davenport and at Gateway Travel, 343 4th Avenue South in Clinton. The cash cost for each flu immunization is $15 and $20 for each pneumonia vaccine. If you have proof of Medicare Part B coverage, VNA will file your claim for you, as Medicare Part B covers both immunizations. Please bring your Medicare Part B card with you. No credit cards will be accepted.
"The drive-thru clinic is a convenient and easy way to protect yourself against influenza," says Donna Medina, Manager of Clinical Services for Genesis VNA. "The drive through clinic is also convenient for those who have difficulty walking or standing in line at other clinics." There will be 2 lines of cars to expedite the flow. Participants are encouraged to wear short sleeve shirts under their coats for easy access. Cookies will be provided after each injection.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is urging everyone to get flu shots this year. "Everyone needs to get a flu shot," adds Medina. "Especially younger, healthy people who think they won't get the illness. Those folks could end up missing 1-2 weeks of work and that can be financially devastating not only for the person who is ill but also for their employer."
According to the CDC, epidemics of influenza or flu typically occur in the United States during the winter months. It causes an average of 20,000 deaths per year and hospitalizes approximately another 114,000. The flu is spread, or transmitted, when a person who has the illness coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends flu virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus. The virus enters the nose, throat, or lungs of a person and begins to multiply, causing symptoms of the flu. Flu may, less often, be spread when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it - a door handle, for instance - and then touches his or her nose or mouth. Symptoms start 1-4 days after the virus enters the body. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.
View more information about the flu or upcoming flu clinic locations, click here or call a registered nurse at Genesis On Call, 421-2000 or 800-383-2575.
