NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14 , 2009

Shrug the Bug to Keep Your Family Healthy This Season

Sheboygan, Wis. —St. Nicholas Hospital is providing preservative-free seasonal influenza vaccinations for people at its annual Shrug the Bug Flu and Pneumonia Immunization Clinics from October 2 through November 12.

"While all influenza vaccinations are determined safe by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are responding to the community's preference for the preservative free vaccine," said Ellen Platz, RN, Community Education-Flu Clinic, St. Nicholas Hospital.

According to the CDC, the seasonal influenza vaccine provides the best protection available from flu.

"Every year the flu vaccine is redeveloped to target the anticipated flu strains in our area," said Carol Stielow, RN, Community Education-Flu Clinic, St. Nicholas Hospital. "Even when the vaccine does not closely match circulating flu strains, the vaccine provides some protection such as decreasing severity of flu symptoms."

Vaccination is particularly important for people at high risk for serious flu-related complications and for those with close contact of high-risk people. Those under five years old and over 50 have a higher risk for flu complications. The seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older.

The St. Nicholas Hospital FastCare Clinic at Shopko and Shrug the Bug Flu Clinic will provide seasonal flu immunizations for $30 and pneumonia immunizations for $40. Cash, check, Medicare, Medicare Replacement Plans, and Medicaid is accepted. St. Nicholas Hospital will be providing vaccinations for people 9 years of age or older. Clients under 18 years of age require a parent to be present. To find the latest dates, times and locations, click here, or call 920/451-7489.

H1N1

Currently there is much discussion in the news about the novel influenza A H1N1 (H1N1) pandemic. The CDC is developing an H1N1 vaccine that is expected to be available in the fall. The Sheboygan County Division of Public Health is assisting the Wisconsin Division of Health in organizing, providing, and distributing the H1N1 vaccine locally.

The CDC is recommending that certain priority groups will receive the H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These priority groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages 25 through 64 years of age with high risk medical conditions or compromised immune systems.

About St. Nicholas Hospital
St. Nicholas Hospital is a non-profit hospital sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis located at 3100 Superior Avenue, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Their mission and vision is to provide family-centered, compassionate care without regard for race, creed, or ability to pay. This is achieved through the core values of respect, care, competence, and joy.

To learn more, visit www.stnicholashospital.org .

CONTACT: Xue Yang
Marketing Assistant
St. Nicholas Hospital
3100 Superior Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
920-459-4739
xyang@sns.hshs.org

 

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