With the Rise in Flu Cases, Urgent Care Network Offers Limited Free Vaccines

CLAYTON, N.C., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With flu season still at its height, Urgent Cares of America has started offering free flu vaccines at all their locations.

With the number of flu cases on the rise, Urgent Cares of America has nine urgent care locations that are offering free flu vaccine shots while supplies last. Locations include Asheville Urgent Care, Boone Urgent Care, Hendersonville Urgent Care, Clayton Urgent Care, FastMed of Cary, FastMed of Wake Forest, Fuquay Urgent Care, Urgent Care of Cary, and Wake Urgent Care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate Influenza kills approximately 36,000 people and causes 220,000 hospitalizations every year. The southeastern United States has had most of the flu activity nationwide so far this season. According to the N.C. Division of Public Health, most flu cases happen between November and March, but activity in North Carolina began to pick up during the holidays.

"We don't believe we've seen the peak of flu season this year," Dr. Zack Moore of the N.C. Division of Public Health.  "So it is not too late to be vaccinated, especially if you are among those at high risk for complications, like pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses."

If an individual waits until a family member or friend they know gets sick from the flu, it may be too late to get vaccinated. The flu is contagious and can lead to serious illness, including pneumonia.  The flu vaccine protects against three different viruses: the H3N2 virus, the Influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus.

Being treated for the flu can cost five times more than receiving the vaccination, potentially costing over $200 for treatment if an individual is not vaccinated.

"With our urgent care clinics offering our remaining vaccines for free, we hope to prevent seeing and treating further cases of the flu," Dr. Melvin Lee, Chief Medical Officer for Urgent Cares of America.

"Our clinics have treated over 200 people for the flu. Many people simply put off getting their flu shot and take the risk of getting the flu. Like taking your vitamins it just makes logical sense to get your flu shot."

For more information and additional recommendations visit the CDC, NC-DHHS and Urgent Cares of America websites.

For directions to an urgent care center offering free flu shots visit www.rucn.info.

SOURCE Urgent Cares of America

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