Palm Beach County Flu Shots

Lake Worth - West Palm Beach: 4570 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33463 (561) 963-9881 Map
Wellington - Royal Palm Beach: 11551 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411 (561) 798-9411 Map

FLU ARRIVES IN HAWAII! "Flu Outbreak Hits Hawaii School" September 2007

WE HAVE 2007/08 FLU SHOTS:

Click here for more information from the CDC regarding the 2007-08 Influenza Vaccine

2007/08 FLU SEASON BEGINS WITH OUTBREAK IN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS Influenza A Confirmed Amongst Official Concerns this Flu Season may be Severe - After reports from Australia that the continent has been having its worst influenza epidemic in the past six years, the flu has now arrived early in the Hawaiian Islands. While Australian officials report its citizens are becoming sick with the virus three times as much as during normal flu seasons, the first confirmed outbreak of the 2007/2008 Flu Season in the US was reported by Hawaiian state officials at an undisclosed private school on O'ahu. Test results by the State Laboratories Division found that a kindergartner and a first-grader came down with influenza A at the private school late in August. A 4-year-old sibling of a student at the school also contracted influenza A, the more serious form of the flu. Another student came down with pneumonia, and 'a handful of other students' also had flu-like symptoms but did not have clinical specimens collected to be tested," according to state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Effler. People are getting sick before pharmaceutical companies have even sent their full supplies of vaccine to healthcare providers, which typically arrive in September and October. "...This is a fairly early outbreak. The majority of cases typically happen in December through March. It could be another indicator that we're in for a heavy flu season here," he said. Pediatricians, other doctors and private caregivers are also reporting sporadic cases in the Islands. Another physician from the islands, Dr. Marian Melish, notes: "We also have been seeing some very severe cases of influenza, particularly in July, when the heaviest period for influenza is the fall and winter months." Melish is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Hawai'i's medical school and chief of infection disease service and the infection control department at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children. As one of the leaders in the administration of both Flu shots and flu treatments in Palm Beach County, MD Now Urgent Care Centers was among the first in the area to receive flu shots for the 2007/2008 Flu Season. They are available on a walk-in basis while supplies last. Australians hit with severe outbreaks. Influenza outbreaks and epidemics pose ongoing risks to global human public health. Recently, Australian officials have reported record numbers in both the intensity and the amount of influenza cases they have seen, with three times as many cases as normal, including the deaths of six children. On September 12, 2007, Australia's ABC News affiliate reported sources from country's health department estimate residents in certain areas have contracted the flu at ten times the rate of last flu season. Dr Kelly Shaw from the Communicable Diseases Unit says the figures are based on official notifications only, and she estimates the true number of cases to be in the thousands. Dr Shaw says many Tasmanians fell victim to influenza A this year, considered to be one of the worst strains of the virus. The severity of the Australian flu season, coupled with the early appearance of the flu within our borders, has some officials concerned our flu season in the U.S. may be more severe. "We know a series of mild seasons is often followed by a heavy season," he said. "You can't predict for sure, but it could indicate we're in for a heavy flu season." says Effler from Hawaii. Known as influenza, the "flu" is an extremely contagious respiratory infection. Flu symptoms are more severe than those of colds, come on more abruptly, and often include high fever, cough, and full body aches. It can cause severe complications, such as pneumonia and even death - particularly in the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Due to the severity of the disease and its threat to public health, the US Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta now recommends that all persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others should be vaccinated. How to avoid the flu. Get vaccinated. An influenza outbreak can occur at any time, but flu viruses usually begin to circulate among the population as early as October and continue as late as May. (Last flu season MD Now Urgent Care Centers saw our first confirmed flu patient in early October). But don't wait until flu season begins to get your flu shot! It takes at least two weeks for the antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection to begin to develop in the body. But there's another good reason not to delay in getting your flu shot. Each year, pharmaceutical companies manufacture their vaccines based on the best estimate of demand for their product. Given the meager number of influenza vaccine manufacturing plants that we have in the United States, and the large number of doses required, only a limited amount is produced. Vaccines take 6 to 9 months to develop, so once the stock has been exhausted, it cannot be replaced. In 2004 and again in 2005, a shortage of flu shots raised fears of a potential public health disaster. Advances in treatment. A Rapid Flu Test now exists for definitive diagnosis of influenza. The test, which is recommended by The World Health Organization (WHO), is offered at MD Now Urgent Care Centers. It is administered by a simple nasopharyngeal swab, and is capable of screening for influenza A and B type viral infections. These types of infections were barely treatable in the past since viruses do not respond to antibiotics. But in recent years, pharmaceutical companies have released several prescription medications - known as antiviral drugs - that are effective and can significantly reduce the duration of suffering, such as Tamiflu® and Relenza®. Starting treatment with these medications within 48 hours after flu symptoms appear will reduce the length of the illness and the severity of symptoms by at least 1 day. But time is of the essence! Early treatment leads to faster results and will enable you to resume daily activities in a shorter amount of time, so don't delay in getting medical attention if you think you've caught the bug. At MD Now Urgent Care Centers, most patients are seen, treated and released within one hour and no appointment is necessary. We are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and offer flu shots, influenza testing and all contemporary treatments of influenza, as well as rapid strep testing and a wide variety of medical diagnostic and treatment modalities. However, we concur with the CDC, who recommends: "The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year."

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MD Now Urgent Care Centers joins the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognizing the month of August as National Immunization Awareness Month.

Why are immunizations important?

Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections.

Who should be immunized?

Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting community effort regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults of all ages and seniors, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, are critical to protecting ourselves and our communities from disease.

Some people should not receive a flu shot. They include: People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs. People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past. People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously. Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group). People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen. If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.

Why might some adults need vaccines?

Some adults incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect themfor the rest of their lives. Generally this is true, except that:

Some adults were never vaccinated as children
Newer vaccines were not available when some adults were children
Immunity can begin to fade over time
As we age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections (e.g., flu, pneumococcus)

Illness is expensive.

The number of adult deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases is towering —more than 30,000 each year. The real tragedy is that it doesn’t have to happen. For example, every year more than half of adults at high risk of influenza complications seek some type of medical treatment, but they fail to receive influenza vaccine. What is the direct medical cost just for this negligence? Between $3 billion and $5 billion. And that’s just one disease. Some adults think immunization is just for kids or are unaware adult vaccines exist. Others are procrastinators. But when these people’s lives are damaged or cut short, far more than their families suffer. Our entire society suffers.

WHICH VACCINES SHOULD ADULTS RECEIVE?

INFLUENZA Each year, an average of over 200,000 adults are hospitalized because of influenza. As many as 36,000 die, and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Anyone 50 or older, or having certain medical conditions, such as a chronic illness or immunosuppression, has a greater risk for severe complications following influenza. Influenza vaccination is readily available and must be repeated each year, in the fall, before the start of influenza season.

PNEUMOCOCCAL As many as 15,000 people die each year because of pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal infections. The elderly and people with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease or immunosuppression, are most susceptible to pneumococcal disease. People under 65 will need a booster shot when they reach 65 if more than 5 years have passed since the initial dose.

TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA (Td) Booster doses of Td are needed at 10-year intervals throughout a person's life.

VACCINES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS Many Americans enjoy vacations abroad, and in today's business environment, employees are often required to visit remote areas of other countries. When visiting some parts of the world, these people are likely to be exposed to diseases that we almost never see in this country. Immunization is crucial for international travelers- both routine vaccines and others needed for specific geographic regions.

OTHER VACCINES SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED:
a
HEPATITIS A Adults need protection if they live in U.S. communities or travel to other countries with high rates of hepatitis A. This vaccine is essential for those who have chronic liver disease, are injection drug users, or are men who have sex with men.
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HEPATITIS B Hepatitis B is the primary sexually transmitted disease we can immunize against. This disease infects over 140,000 people in the U.S. each year and kills over 5,000. It is 100 times more contagious than the virus that causes AIDS, and there is no cure. It is known as the "silent disease" because it may infect people without making them feel sick.
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MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA (MMR) Anyone born since 1956 and all women of childbearing age who have not had these diseases or been vaccinated needs to be safeguarded.
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CHICKENPOX (VARICELLA) Adults have a far greater risk of complications from this disease. These include swelling of the brain, pneumonia, and even death. Protection is crucial for anyone not born in the U.S. before 1966 who has not had this disease and has not been vaccinated.

Consult the CDC's Adult Vaccine Preventable Diseases page to learn about each disease. It includes a short description, symptoms, complications, transmission, and whether or not you need the vaccine as an adult.

The above information is reported directly from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

MD Now Medical Centers offers all of the above vaccines, including HPV (Human Papaloma Virus) vaccine, Herpes-Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine, Rabies Vaccine (elective only - not emergency tx), and all travel vaccines to our patients and their families. We are also listed in the CDC's Yellow Fever Vaccination Center Registry.

Please call for current pricing and availability. We accept Medicare and all major Medicare secondary insurance plans. Sorry, most commercial insurances do not cover influenza or other immuni immunizations, so we will not bill your commercial insurance insurance carrier.

For more information, call Carolina at 963-9881.

MD Now Medical Center Royal Palm Beach / Wellington Location
11551 Southern Blvd.
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Phone 561-798-9411

MD Now Medical Center Lake Worth Location
4570 Lantana Road
Lake Worth, FL 33463
Phone 561-963-9881


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