Get Your Flu Shot: U-M Offers Convenient Options for Patients, Public

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Michigan Health System's Michigan Visiting Nurses and health centers will once again offer flu vaccinations, the most reliable way to ward off the flu this season.

A series of convenient walk-in flu shot clinics is planned throughout southeastern Michigan and vaccinations are offered at competitive prices, says Tracy Newhouse, MVN community wellness manager.

U-M Health System patients can begin getting flu shots now by contacting their provider.

"It's important people receive the vaccination even if they're not sick or not afraid they're going to be hospitalized," says Newhouse. "They could pass the flu to more vulnerable people."

For individuals who already see a U-M physician, nurse midwife or other provider, vaccination can be done during existing or new appointments this fall, or at special walk-in clinics for current patients.

Patients should call their U-M provider's office for an appointment, or visit www.med.umich.edu/flu for a schedule of flu shot clinics, says Linda McGrath, UMHS immunization coordinator.  If patients receive their flu shot elsewhere, they should notify their U-M provider so their medical record can be updated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is again recommending that anyone 6 months and older should be vaccinated for the upcoming flu season. The CDC also recommends that because children younger than 6 months cannot be vaccinated, their caregivers and entire family should receive the shot.

Vaccination is particularly important for high-risk groups, including children, those 65 and older, pregnant women and anyone with an underlying condition that can weaken the immune system. The CDC recommends flu shots be received annually.

At its walk-in clinics, Michigan Visiting Nurses accepts the following insurances, all of which cover the entire cost of the flu shot:  Blue Care Network, BCN Advantage, Medicare Plus Blue PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PPO (Community Blue/Blue Preferred), BlueCaid, HAP HMO and PPO, Health Plus HMO/PPO/POS/MIChild, HealthPlus MedicarePlus Advantage HMO/PPO, PHPMM HMO and PPO, Priority Health HMO and PPO, Traditional Medicare Part B, and UM Premier Care.  Other payment options include Cash, Check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.

The walk-in clinics are open to the public and most clinics are limited to vaccinating those age 9 and older. For an updated listing of flu clinics, call MVN's flu hotline at 734-477-7299, or visit www.umvn.org.

Clinics are scheduled on the following dates:

• Sept. 15, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, 9455 Hilton Road, Brighton 48114, age 9 and  up
• Sept. 17, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at MedEquip, 2705 South Industrial, Ann Arbor 48104, age 9 and up
• Sept. 19, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Weatherwax SavMor – Brooklyn, 105 North Main Street, Brooklyn 49230, age 9 and up
• Sept. 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Weatherwax SavMor – Brooklyn, 105 North Main Street, Brooklyn 49230, age 9 and up
• Sept. 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Unadilla Senior Center, 126 Webb, Gregory 48137, age 9 and  up
• Sept. 25, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at People's Presbyterian Church, 210 Smith Street, Milan 48180, age 9 and up
• Sept. 26, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Dexter Senior Center, 7720 Ann Arbor St., Dexter 48130, age 9 and up
• Sept. 26, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Dexter Senior Center, 7720 Ann Arbor St., Dexter 48130, age 9 and up
• Sept. 27, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Weatherwax SavMor - Spring Arbor, 8012 Spring Arbor Road, Spring Arbor 49283, age 9 and up
• Sept. 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Hartland Senior Center, 9525 Highland Road, Howell48843, age 18 and up
• Sept. 28, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Weatherwax SavMor - Spring Arbor, 8012 Spring Arbor Road, Spring Arbor 49283, age 9 and up
• Sept. 30, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Avenue, Ann Arbor 48104, age 18 and up
• Oct. 1, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at MedEquip, 2705 S. Industrial, Ann Arbor 48104, age 9 and  up
• Oct. 2, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Albion, 305 East Porter Street, Albion 49224, age 9 and up
• Oct. 2, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Shrine, 8743 US 12, Brooklyn 49230, age 9 and up
• Oct. 3, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Longe SavMor Drugs, 900 East Ganson, Jackson 49201, age 9 and up
• Oct. 4, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Weatherwax SavMor – Hinckley, 210 Hinckley Boulevard, Jackson 49203, age 9 and up
• Oct. 5, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Weatherwax SavMor – Hinckley, 210 Hinckley Boulevard, Jackson 49203, age 9 and up
• Oct. 5, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at York Baptist Church, 11220 Stoney Creek Road, Milan 48160, age 9 and up
• Oct. 5, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Pittsfield Township Senior Center, 701 West Ellsworth, Ann Arbor 48108, age 9 and up
• Oct. 5, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Turner Senior Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Road, Suite C, Ann Arbor 48105, age 18 and up
• Oct. 7, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Ypsilanti Township Senior Center, 2025 East Clark Road, Ypsilanti 48198, age 9 and up
• Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Hamburg Senior Center, 10407 Merrill Road, Hamburg 48139, age 18 and up
• Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Howell Recreation Center - Parks and Rec Building, 925 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell 48843, age 18 and up
• Oct. 9, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 11575 Belleville Rd, Belleville 48111, age 9 and up
• Oct. 10, 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Blissfield Senior Center, 206 South Lane, Blissfield 49228, age 9 and up
• Oct. 10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Tecumseh Senior Center, 703 East Chicago Boulevard, Tecumseh 49286, age 9 and up
• Oct. 12, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Ann Arbor City Club, 1830 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor  48104, age 18 and up
• Oct. 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Ann Arbor YMCA, 400 West Washington, Ann Arbor 48103, age 9 and up
• Oct. 15, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Wiard's Orchard Community Awareness Weekend, 5565 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti 48197, age 9 and up
• Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - Ann Arbor 306 North Division Street, Ann Arbor 48104, Age 9 and up
• Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Belleville First United Methodist Church, 417 Charles Street, Belleville 48111, age 9 and up
• Oct. 16, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Wiard's Orchard Community Awareness Weekend, 5565 Merritt Road, Ypsilanti 48197, age 9 and up
• Oct. 17, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Manchester Senior Center, 324 West Main, Manchester 48158, age 9 and up
• Oct. 18, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Adrian Senior Center, 327 Erie Street, Adrian 49221, age 18 and up
• Oct. 18, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at St. Francis School and Parish, 2270 East Stadium Boulevard, Ann Arbor 48104, age 9 and up
• Oct. 19, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor 48103 age 9 and up
• Oct. 21, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Northfield Township Senior Center, 9101 Main Street, Whitmore Lake 48189, Age 9 and up
• Oct. 21, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Saline Senior Center, 7190 North Maple Road, Saline  48176, age 9 and up
• Oct. 22, 9 a.m. - 12  p.m. at MedEquip, 2705 South Industrial, Ann Arbor 48104, age 9 and up
• Oct. 22,  4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 910 Austin Drive, Saline 48176, age 9 and up
• Oct. 23, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 910 Austin Drive Saline 48176, age 9 and up
• Oct. 24, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Fowlerville Senior  Center, 203 North Collins Street, Fowlerville 48836, age 18 and up
• Oct. 25, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Ypsilanti Senior Center, 1015 North Congress Street, Ypsilanti 48197, age 18 and up
• Nov. 2, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor 48103, age 9 and up
• Nov. 4,  9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Ypsilanti Township Senior Center, 2025 East Clark Road, Ypsilanti 48198, age 9 and up
• Nov. 6, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Saline Rec. Center, 1866 Woodland Drive, Saline 48176, age 9 and up
• Nov. 12, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at MedEquip, 2705 South Industrial, Ann Arbor 48104, age 9 and up
• Nov. 19, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at MedEquip, 2705 South Industrial, Ann Arbor 48104, age 9 and up
• Dec. 3, 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at MedEquip, 2705 South Industrial, Ann Arbor 48104, age 9 and  up

SOURCE University of Michigan Health System