Flu shots available at Concentra Urgent Care locations

The flu season is in full swing, and health officials predict this year’s outbreak of seasonal influenza to be stronger than usual. To help protect against this highly contagious illness, Concentra is offering seasonal flu vaccines at more than 300 medical centers across the country.

Seasonal influenza, or the flu, is an extremely contagious respiratory infection and often includes symptoms like high fever, cough, and full body aches. Flu symptoms are more severe than those of colds and can cause medical complications that result in an average of 36,000 deaths each year. But the flu can be prevented with an annual flu vaccine. Doctors and experts agree that a flu vaccine is the best defense against contracting the flu virus. It has been calculated to save more than 8 million lives annually – the equivalent of one person saved every five seconds.

"With both the seasonal and swine flu virus this fall, it’s more important than ever for the public to be protected from circulating strains of influenza," said Senior Vice President of Medical Operations Bill Lewis, M.D. "By providing employers and patients with influenza vaccine to reduce the incidence of seasonal flu cases, physicians and public health officials can better prepare for the additional burden of the new H1N1 influenza outbreak."

Flu shots will be available at more than 300 Concentra Urgent Care locations across the country. Concentra recommends annual flu vaccination as the principal method for preventing seasonal influenza, along with routine hand washing and proper health habits to stay healthy and well during the flu season. The company is also scheduling flu vaccine clinics at employer worksites across the nation to assist employers in keeping their employees safe and healthy.

In addition to seasonal flu vaccines, Concentra also anticipates providing H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines to patients and employers, as available per CDC regulations. The seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, and patients will need a separate vaccine to prevent the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. Although specific dates have not been established for when H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines will become available from the manufacturers, Concentra is working directly with state health departments to obtain the vaccine and provide customers with timely and efficient protection.

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