It’s time for your flu shot this year, and Kaiser Permanente is urging members to get a free injection at one of its three Silicon Valley Medical Centers, Redwood City, Santa Clara, and San Jose. While the “official” start of the Kaiser Permanente’s flu shot push is Saturday, September 27th, employees and some members have been getting their shots already.
“We wanted to make sure our caregivers are protected, and not exposing their patients to influenza’s dangers,” says Dr. Darvin Scott Smith, Infectious Disease, Kaiser Permanente Redwood City.
Influenza can be a killer, but normally it’s just an ugly experience: Symptoms often include fever, chills, achiness, headache, cough, sore throat, exhaustion, and diarrhea.
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“The vaccine will protect you most of the time but you have to get a shot every year to be sure,” says Dr. Smith. And he emphasizes the vaccine will not cause you to come down with influenza.
Many Kaiser Permanente medical centers have already set up “immunization tables” in building lobbies or using roving teams of nurses to give the flu shots to doctors, nurses, and staff, but they’ve also been offering injections to certain members at high risk for the virus.
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“This year’s flu vaccine will be a good match to the flu virus we’re expecting,” writes Dr. Jonathan Blum, Infectious Disease, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center. And he expects there to be an adequate supply of all the flu vaccines.
Dr. Blum and Dr. Smith point out that Kaiser Permanente should have a good supply of the so-called “high dose” vaccine for people over 65 and with debilitating conditions; and Kaiser Permanente will be offering the nasal spray vaccine for children.
There are always prevention tips: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner, especially if you have sneezed or coughed. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, using the crook of your arm rather than your hands.
If you are sick, stay home so you don’t expose your coworkers. If you have a fever, wait at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine before you return to work or school.
While Saturday, September 27, 2014 is the ‘kick-off” of the flu clinics at Kaiser Permanente, all of the medical centers will be offering vaccine after Saturday. Below are links to Silicon Valley and Peninsula Kaiser Permanente web pages with information.
KAISER PERMANENTE SAN JOSE: http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/facilities/region/sanjose/area_master/news_events/flushots.jsp
KAISER PERMANENTE SANTA CLARA: http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/facilities/region/santaclara/area_master/news_events/fluclinic.jsp
KAISER PERMANENTE REDWOOD CITY:
http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/facilities/region/sanmateo/area_master/health_resources/fluclinic.jsp
