Centegra Health System has received an additional shipment of H1N1 vaccine and plans to offer 200 nasal vaccines and 200 H1N1 vaccine shots at four Centegra Primary Care vaccination clinics Thursday, Nov. 5; Saturday, Nov. 7; Tuesday, Nov. 10; Thursday, Nov 12 and Saturday, Nov. 14.
Saturday's clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to noon at Centegra Primary Care (CPC) sites in Huntley, Woodstock, Crystal Lake and McHenry. Hours for Tuesday and Thursday clinics at CPC sites in Huntley, Woodstock, Crystal Lake and McHenry are from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For each vaccination clinic, 200 H1N1 nasal vaccines and 200 H1N1 flu shots will be available to those in the following priority list, according to Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP):
- pregnant women
- people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old and
- people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
The nasal vaccine is safely approved for people from 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant and do not have certain health conditions. Groups recommended to receive 2009 H1N1 LAIV first are healthy people who:
- are from 2 through 24 years of age
- are from 25 through 49 years of age and live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
- are healthcare or emergency medical personnel.
As more vaccine becomes available, other healthy 25 through 49 year olds should also be vaccinated.
While certain groups should not get LAIV – for example pregnant women, people with long-term health problems and children from 6 months to 2 years of age – it is important that they be vaccinated. They should get the flu shot when it is available.
Residents are encouraged to check centegra.org or follow www.twitter.com/centegra_h1n1 for the latest information regarding vaccine supply and therefore ability of the clinics to operate on a given day. The website will be updated as needed. Plans are to continue H1N1 vaccination clinics from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday as supplies allow.
There is no charge for the actual vaccine but there is a $15 fee to administer the immunization. These clinics will bill Medicare and Medicaid for the administration fee. All others will be expected to pay $15 at the time of service. Visit centegra.org to find out if you qualify for the H1N1 vaccine. Patients should not seek H1N1 vaccines at Centegra's flu evaluation and treatment clinics; only through Centegra Primary Care H1N1 vaccination clinics for now.
There is no need to arrive early to the flu vaccination clinics. Necessary paperwork will be distributed at 4 p.m. and the clinics will open at 4:30 p.m.
Flu Evaluation and Treatment Clinics
Centegra Primary Care (CPC) is opening separately dedicated clinics to treat patients with mild flu-like symptoms in an effort to help knock out the flu and get residents back to everyday life sooner. No appointment is necessary, just walk-in. A visit to a Centegra Primary Care flu treatment clinic is just like visiting a physician's office.
The clinics offer evaluation and treatment for mild flu symptoms including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Centegra Primary Care’s flu evaluation and treatment clinics are open from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Centegra Primary Care – McHenry, 4309 Medical Center Drive, Suite B205 and Centegra Primary Care – Woodstock, 3707 Doty Road, Medical Office Building II.
Centegra Immediate Care Centers also are open to evaluate and treat the flu from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. They are in Crystal Lake at 360 Station Drive and in Huntley at 10350 Haligus Road.
Additional outreaches
Centegra Health System also will be offering H1N1 vaccinations to the community through its Worksite Wellness program as supplies become available.
With regard to our school outreach strategy, Centegra Health System is partnering with the 18 school districts in McHenry County to offer vaccinations for students. The schools have been very receptive and dates and times are being scheduled based upon available supplies.
Seasonal vaccines
Seasonal flu vaccine manufacturers and vendors are not accepting new orders. Centegra’s pharmacy buyers and supply chain professionals are monitoring this situation daily and will order more if the situation changes. The shortage is a result of manufacturers not producing as much as planned due to production of H1N1 vaccines.
Centegra Health System is committed to meeting the healthcare needs of the residents of greater McHenry County and to making services available in multiple and convenient locations, including hospitals in McHenry and Woodstock, Immediate and Primary Care Centers, Centegra Sage Cancer Center, Health Bridge Fitness Centers and more. As the region’s leading healthcare provider, Centegra Health System continues to bring the latest treatments and technology, along with the skills of nearly 4,000 medical professionals, to meet the needs of the growing McHenry County community.