Community

Spectrum Health Offers Flu Clinics

Vaccine Also Available at Urgent Care, Spectrum Health Medical Group Offices

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone older than six months be vaccinated for the flu this year. Spectrum Health offers several ways to get your flu shot.

Flu Clinics
The Spectrum Health Continuing Care Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) has begun distributing the flu vaccine at clinics throughout the community. The current schedule of flu clinics is posted at www.spectrumhealth.org/flu or is available by calling 616.486.3939.

Urgent Care
Flu vaccine is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week at Spectrum Health Urgent Care locations in Grand Rapids. The South Pavilion location is open until 10 p.m. Locations can be found at www.spectrumhealth.org/urgent.

Primary Care
Current patients have the option of making an appointment with their Spectrum Health Medical Group provider to receive the vaccine.

People who worry about getting a flu shot should think again, say experts.

“There really is no reason to hesitate about getting a flu shot,” said Paul Woods, MD, primary care chief, Spectrum Health Medical Group. “We know the vaccination works and potentially saves thousands of lives each year. It’s something everyone should consider before flu becomes widespread. Flu shots are particularly important for pregnant women and people with chronic medical problems. Immunization of healthy people helps stop the spread of flu to others.”

The cost of this year’s flu vaccine shot is $30 at both VNA clinics and Urgent Care locations. VNA also offers a flu mist nasal inhaler as an alternative to the shot for $40 for people ages two through 49. Preservative-free flu shots are available through VNA by calling 616.486.3939 to schedule an appointment. Pneumonia injections also are available. All locations can bill a number of insurance programs, many of which cover some or all of the cost of the vaccine.

To avoid getting the flu, Spectrum Health recommends:

  • Get your seasonal flu shot. Visit www.spectrumhealth.org/flu for a list of clinics.
  • Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
  • Avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Symptoms include:

  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Fever (sometimes) – a temperature greater than 100° F or 37.8° C
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea (sometimes)
  • Vomiting (sometimes)

Individuals experiencing these symptoms who become concerned about their illness should call their primary care physician for advice. Urgent Care locations and emergency departments should be used only for people experiencing the following:

In children:

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • So irritable the child doesn’t even want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Fever with a rash

In adults:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

Flu Facts

  • Most symptoms can and should be treated at home. Only the most severe illnesses require a visit to an Urgent
  • Care location or emergency department.
  • It will take anywhere from five to 10 days for the illness to run its course.
  • For most people who contract the flu, they should try to stay home, rest, drink plenty of liquids and take acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory medicine.

More information can be found at www.spectrumhealth.org/flu.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 190 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 700 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 18,000 employees. The organization provided $176.5 million in community benefit during its 2011 fiscal year.