Inova Health System Now Offering Flu Shots
October 8, 2007
Vaccine Highly Recommended for Children, Seniors
Falls Church, VA – Inova Health System’s HealthSource is now offering
influenza vaccinations to children and adults throughout the Washington region.
Every year in the United States more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from
flu complications and about 36,000 people die from flu. The Centers for Disease
Control recommends that everyone get vaccinated as a flu shot is the only way to
prevent influenza. Persons at high risk for serious complications from influenza
include:
• Children six months to 5 years of age
• Adults with
children up to 18 years of age
• Adults 50 and over
• Adults and
children who have medical conditions that lower your body’s immune system such
as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV, among others
• Adults who
live in, work at or have contact with anyone in institutions such as schools,
nursing homes and/or hospitals
• Women who are pregnant in any
trimester, or who may deliver during flu season
The flu shot cannot cause the flu and it is safe for pregnant women and has
no known serious side effects. October or November is the best time to get
vaccinated, but getting a shot in December or even later can still be
beneficial. For a complete listing of all of Inova HealthSource’s flu clinics,
go to www.inova.org/flu or schedule an
appointment by calling 703-204-3325.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit
health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and
other health services including emergency and urgent care centers, home care,
nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes.
Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova's mission is to
improve the health of the diverse community we serve through excellence in
patient care, education and research.
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Contact:
Che Parker
703-321-2559
Jeanne Mayer
703- 321-2918
Kimberly Gibbs
703-504-3438
