Atlantic General Hospital Provides Free Flu Shots
01-09-2014
Atlantic General Hospital/Health System is providing free flu shot clinics
for a second time this flu season. Individuals must be at least 13 years
old to receive the vaccine at one of the free clinics.
The clinics will be held 3 – 6 p.m. on the following dates:
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
The flu shot clinics will be held at Atlantic General Hospital, in the
Employee Health Office on the second floor. No appointment is necessary.
The vaccine is made from eggs. If you are allergic to eggs, consult with
your health care provider. If you have any questions, please contact the
Employee Health Office at 410 641-9190 or email cmumford@atlanticgeneral.org.
Influenza and complications resulting from the virus kill an estimated
20,000 people each year, according to the CDC. Although rates of influenza
vaccinations have increased in recent years, health surveys indicate that
less than half of the high-risk population receives a yearly vaccine.
Influenza, or flu, is a highly contagious virus spread by inhaling droplets
from an infected individual’s cough or sneeze. Most symptoms emerge
within 24 to 48 hours and are characterized by fever, chills, sore throat,
cough and headache. Just one infected person can unknowingly pass on the
flu to family members and loved ones because the virus can be transmitted
24 hours before symptoms appear.
Those at an increased risk for influenza related complications:
• persons 65 years and older
• nursing home residents and other chronic care facilities
• adults and children with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or
cardiovascular systems, including children with asthma
• people with metabolic diseases such as diabetes
• those with blood diseases like sickle cell anemia, or impaired immunity.
Children and teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy and anyone working
or living with someone in a high-risk category should also get a flu shot
every year.
Since flu viruses mutate often, vaccines should be repeated each year.
About Atlantic General Hospital
Atlantic General Hospital has been providing quality health care to the
residents of Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset (Md.) and Sussex (Del.) counties
since May 1993. Built by the commitment and generosity of a dedicated
community, the hospital’s state-of-the-art facility in Berlin, Md.,
combines old-fashioned personal attention with the latest in technology
and services. It provides quality specialty care such as weight loss surgery,
orthopedics, outpatient infusion for individuals with cancer or blood/autoimmune
disorders, retina surgery and a comprehensive women’s diagnostic
center. Atlantic General Health System, its network of more than 40 primary
care providers and specialists, care for residents and visitors throughout
the region. For more information about Atlantic General Hospital, visit
www.atlanticgeneral.org.