The Catalina Island Medical Center reportedly has an ample supply of flu shots available for those who would like to protect themselves against influenza.
“This year’s flu season has been particularly hard hitting in some parts of the country,” said Maryrose Coughlin, the practice manager at the Medical Center. “Even though it is later in the season, getting vaccinated is still effective.”
Appointments are recommended to receive a flu shot.
The Catalina Island Medical Center reportedly has an ample supply of flu shots available for those who would like to protect themselves against influenza.
“This year’s flu season has been particularly hard hitting in some parts of the country,” said Maryrose Coughlin, the practice manager at the Medical Center. “Even though it is later in the season, getting vaccinated is still effective.”
Appointments are recommended to receive a flu shot.
Patients who arrive at the emergency department for a flu shot will be asked to schedule an appointment in the medical group office.
“The flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu,” said Dr. Laura Ulibarri. She and the other providers at the Medical Center encourage anyone who would like to avoid getting the flu to get an influenza vaccine.
Island medical providers have not yet seen cases of influenza this season.
“The upper respiratory infections we’ve been seeing on the island are viral but they are not true influenza,” Coughlin said.
“Influenza is characterized by high fever and intense overall body aches lasting 10 days to two weeks,” Coughlin said.
Because the influenza vaccine takes two weeks to work, now is an effective time to get the shot. “The sooner you get the vaccine the better,” she said.
The Medical Center has vaccines available at a cost of $15.
“If there’s a financial hardship, please ask to speak to the clinic staff,” Coughlin said. “We don’t want a lack of funds to prohibit anyone from receiving the flu shot.”The registered nurse also said she hopes that myths about the flu shot don’t prevent patients from receiving what can be a lifesaving inoculation.
“It is scientifically impossible to get the flu from a flu shot,” she said. “Because the vaccine takes two weeks to work, if a patient gets sick shortly after getting a shot it’s because they have already been exposed to the virus.”
While vaccines received now will still help protect against influenza, the most effective time to receive a flu shot is in the fall.
Each year, the Medical Center hosts a flu shot clinic to help protect the public against what can be a deadly disease.
“We encourage everyone—no matter what their age—to make an annual flu shot part of their medical routine,” Coughlin said. More information about influenza, flu shots and the current state of the outbreak, is available at www.CDC.gov. To make an appointment for a flu shot, call the Catalina Island Medical Group at (310) 510-0096.
