September 28, 2007
Did you know...?
Flu season is just around the corner…
Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body. October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can get vaccinated in December and later.
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination.
People who should get vaccinated each year are:
1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
· Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday,
· Pregnant women,
· People 50 years of age and older, and
· People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
· People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.
2. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
· Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
· Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
· Healthcare workers.
There are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These 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.
· Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.
· People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
Flu season usually peaks in February and can last as long as late March into early April. Immunizations administered as late as January can provide protection.
For more information about Influenza and the 2007-2008 ACIP recommendations for vaccination, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention webpage at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.
To learn how OHS-COMPCARE can provide your employees with their flu shot please contact our Client Services Team at 816-559-6306 or by email at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.
To learn more about services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services Team at (816) 559-6306 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:
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Blue Springs Clinical Facility |
Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
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801 NW St. Mary’s Drive |
19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
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Blue Springs, MO 64104 |
Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
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816-224-9121 |
816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
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After Hours Available |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
816-761-4664 |