Patients First Health Care Urgent Care Hosts Flu Shot Clinics in Washington and Eureka

WASHINGTON, MO, Sept. 13, 2011 - Patients First Health Care will begin administering flu/seasonal flu shots today. The vaccine will be available at Patients First Health Care primary care offices across six counties and at Urgent Care in Washington and Eureka.   “Special flu shot clinic hours are offered so our patients can receive fast and affordable service,” said Thomas M. Farrell, MD, head of Patients First Urgent Care.  “Most patients are back to work in less than 20 minutes.  The cost for a flu shot at Urgent Care is one of the lowest in the area at $22.00 cash. No insurance will be submitted.”

Urgent Care Flu Shot Clinic in Washington

Beginning September 13 on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Urgent Care Flu Shot Clinic in Eureka

Beginning September 17 on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (while supplies last)

This year’s flu shot is the same as last year’s flu shot.  It is recommended for almost everyone. The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009 to cause a pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get the yearly vaccine. Another alternative, the nasal spray vaccine, is still available for healthy people ages two to 49.

Influenza is a serious and contagious respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, sometimes leading to pneumonia, bronchitis and ear infections. Patients, including groups at a higher risk, including the elderly, young children and people with certain health conditions are encouraged to call their primary care physician and schedule a flu vaccine. Care Management patients should get their high-dose vaccine (for patients age 65 and older) from their primary care physician to maximize their insurance benefits.

According to the CDC, every year in the United States, on average:

• • 5 to 20 percent of the population get the flu
• • Approximately 4 million children get the flu
• • Each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications
• • $1.7 billion is spent on medical costs for children with the flu and an additional $2.1 billion is spent in indirect costs like missing work to care for sick children

About Patients First Health Care

Established in 1998, Patients First Health Care is a Washington, Missouri-based health care system offering quality, convenience and value close to home for patients throughout east central Missouri. The mission of the organization is to put the needs of the patient first. Patients First takes a team-approach to health care, providing patients with access to quality, board-certified or board-eligible physicians, including primary care and 20 specialties in 21 convenient patient centers across six counties. In addition, Patients First offers six treatment centers, urgent care and outpatient surgery. Patients can visit www.PatientsFirstHC.com and select "Find a Physician" to locate the primary care physician or specialist right for them, or call toll-free (855) 749-6841.