Starting as early as September, flu season continues into January and beyond, making NOW the best time to get vaccinated.  The 2010-2011 flu vaccine provides antibodies to protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other strains of the flu virus projected to cause the most illness this season (including H3B2, an influenza B virus).  These antibodies usually provide protection from these strains within 2 weeks of vaccination.  The effectiveness of the vaccine depends on an individual’s age and health status, as well as the similarity between the viruses in circulation and those in the vaccine.

Each year, approximately 5-20% of Americans contract the influenza virus, leading to more than 200,000 hospitalizations.  CDC experts recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the flu vaccine, regardless of if they were vaccinated for 2009 H1N1 or the seasonal flu last season. Because of serious flu complications, many individuals are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated for their personal safety or those who they live or work with:

• Pregnant women
• Children under 5, especially those under age 2
• People age 50+
• People with specific chronic conditions (such as asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, kidney and liver disorders, those with weakened immune systems [HIV/AIDS or cancer], morbid obesity, etc.)
• People who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities
• People who work or live with persons who are at high risk for complications from the flu, such as
  • Healthcare workers
  • Household contacts of those with high risk of complications from the flu
  • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

D.C. Immediate & Primary Care offers injections of the influenza vaccine, and no appointment is necessary.  Our medical staff will provide you with information on the vaccine and its potential side effects.

Don’t forget that thorough hand washing, protecting your cough, and staying home when sick are helpful ways to keep you and your loved ones healthy this flu season!

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

District of Columbia Department of Health

Our Vision
Each member of D.C. Immediate and Primary Care team will continually strive to provide kind, compassionate care to our patients in an expedient and professional manner, with the same concern we would give to our own family members. The D.C. Immediate and Primary Care team will work in a cooperative effort with area primary care providers to maintain continuity of care for their patients needing same day assistance. D.C. Immediate and Primary Care will improve the health of the community by becoming a world-class model of safety, quality, service and efficiency.

DC Immediate & Primary Care will be closing at 4 PM on May 26, 2013. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Our office located in Capitol Hill will be open until 6pm. You may call (202) 544-7580 or visit www.metroimmediatecare.com for more info.

Thank you and have a safe holiday weekend!

We are a specialized immediate and primary care provider dedicated to the delivery of non-emergent medical care outside of a hospital emergency department, on a scheduled and unscheduled basis. DC Immediate and Primary Care will treat patients who have an injury or illness that requires immediate care but is not serious enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room.

Our office is 99.9% paperless. We believe in an environment-friendly philosophy and the use of information technology as a tool to provide quality health care while reducing the overall cost to our patients.

Our goal is not to replace your primary care physician, but to be your open door when one is not available. We believe in the special relationship between a primary care physician and their patients, and we are here to respectfully compliment it.

Your health concern will be addressed by a board certified or board eligible physician available at our office during all operating hours.

We believe patients’ inclusion is the key toward a higher level of care; therefore, you will be provided with 24-hour access to your medical record via a HIPPA compliant web portal and the ability to phone, text, tweet, and email our staff with questions and concerns related to your visit.