Thursday, September 11, 2008

Riverwood offers flu shot clinics

Should you get a flu shot? The Minnesota Health Department is now recommending anyone 50 and older and all children aged 6 months to 18 years get vaccinated anytime during the flu season, from October through March.

Others who should get flu shots include anyone under age 50 with chronic health conditions, all pregnant women, and adults who are living with or caring for children under 5 years old or persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

It takes two weeks for the flu shot to become effective in preventing influenza, and the vaccine lasts for one year. This year’s vaccine protects against three new strains of the flu. All three are different from the Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine covered by flu shots for the 2007-08 flu season.

Riverwood Healthcare Center will offer flu shots to all patients during clinic visits and hospitalizations during the flu season. In addition, flu shot clinics open to the public will be offered in October at these locations and times:

Aitkin Clinic: On Oct. 2, 6, 7, 10, 13, 15, 16 and 17, morning appointments are 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and afternoon appointments are 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. On Oct. 1, 3, 8, 9 and 14, there will be afternoon appointments only from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Garrison Clinic: Oct. 2, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.; Oct. 6, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Oct. 9, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Oct. 14, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.; Oct. 22, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; and Oct. 27, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

McGregor Clinic: Oct. 2, 7, 14, 20 and 30, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Because of different flu shot dosage needs, shots for children under age 9 need to be given by the child’s healthcare provider and are not available at these special flu clinics.

Appointments are needed for Riverwood flu shot clinics. To make an appointment, call Riverwood’s toll-free Flu Line at (888) 303-4550. Additional flu shot clinics will be scheduled as needed.

The flu shot clinics schedule is also posted at www.RiverwoodHealthcare.com; simply click on the flu shot link on the homepage.