Passport Health Offers Flu Vaccinations at the Workplace
BALTIMORE, MD – 9/27/2011—Flu season is around the corner and Passport Health, the nation’s
largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations, has
already completed several on-site flu clinics for their corporate clients. “Flu season typically begins in October
in the U.S.,” said Fran Lessans, the company’s founder and CEO. “It may take up
to two weeks for individuals to develop an immune response to the vaccine so it
is not unusual for us to begin immunization clinics in mid-September,” she
added. Last year, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported influenza activity in the U.S. as
early as the first week of October.
Though it’s easy to brush-off the
flu as a common illness, the reality is that influenza is a serious upper
respiratory disease with life-threatening complications for some individuals.
Between 25,000 and 35,000 Americans die every year as a result of influenza, so
taking preventive steps is important.
A recent study suggests that the 2010-2011 flu season resulted in the loss
of 100 million work days along with $7 billion in lost wages and 32 million
missed school days.
Because every flu season is different, the CDC recommends
that all individuals over the age of 6 months receive their yearly flu
shot. “The flu vaccine is the best
way to prevent the influenza illness,” continued Lessans. “Passport Health is committed to
reducing the occurrence and impact of the flu by offering flu vaccinations at all of our 200 offices
nationwide,” she noted. The
Vaccine Specialists® also
administer flu shots during their on-site flu clinics at schools, universities,
Fortune 500 corporations and other businesses.
Guidelines and information for this year’s flu season:
·
CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first and
best way to protect against influenza.
·
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu
vaccine as soon as the 2011-2012 vaccines are available, even if they were
vaccinated last season.
·
Get your flu
vaccine now so you will be protected during flu season.
·
Although influenza is unpredictable, so far,
circulating influenza viruses are well-matched with the viruses that the
vaccine will protect against; therefore, this season’s vaccine should offer
protection.
·
New vaccination options this season include: intradermal
vaccine given with a smaller needle and the high dose vaccine for people 65
years and older.
Skipping vaccination can put you
and your family at unnecessary risk.
“You may carry the virus and not come down with the flu, but you could
easily pass it along to your children, spouse and other members in your
household. Family members,
particularly if they are young, older, immune-compromised or suffering from a
chronic condition like diabetes or asthma are especially at risk,” concluded
Lessans.
Passport Health has flu
vaccinations available in all of its offices nationwide. For more information
or to learn more about flu clinics visit www.passporthealthusa.com/specialty_services/flu_clinics/
or call 1-888-499-PASS(7277).
Jorge Eduardo
Castillo
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