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PROVIDENCE HOOD RIVER OFFERS FREE
IMMUNIZATIONS ON TUESDAY, MARCH 31
March 26, 2009
HOOD RIVER, Ore. – In honor of the opening of its new addition, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is offering free flu, Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and pneumonia shots to the community Tuesday, March 31 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. These immunizations will be administered by nursing staff in the main lobby of the hospital’s new addition located off 12th Street, while supplies last.
“This is a great opportunity to receive immunizations as we are in the peak flu season through March,” said Providence Employee Health Nurse Ethel Reeves, R.N. “I hope people will take advantage of this public service. Immunizations are one of the most important disease prevention steps we can take to protect our community. “
The Oregon Adult Immunization Coalition (OAIC), a vaccine program sponsored by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), provides the free vaccines. The vaccine is paid for by state and federal tax dollars. The OAIC's mission is to reach underserved populations. Geographically, Hood River County is underinsured and due to the lack of health care providers, underserved. For more information, please call 541-386-3911.
Free Immunization Clinic – Open to the community
WHAT:
Free influenza, Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and pneumonia immunizations.
WHEN:
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2009
WHERE:
Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, new main lobby,
810 12th Street, Hood River.
DETAILS:
Providence Hood River is offering free immunizations to the community while supplies last. The immunization clinic is provided as a public service and provided by the hospital’s nursing staff.
Who should get a flu shot? All children age five months and older and anyone 50 years old or older should get an annual immunization.
Pneumonia kills about 40,000 people each year in the United States and can cause severe infections. Most adults need one immunization against pneumonia in their lifetime and is recommended for anyone age 65 or older, suffering a long term illness such as diabetes, a blood disorder, cancer, diseases of the heart, liver, lung or kidney, people living in a long term care facility or those who are HIV positive.
Who should get Tdap immunizations and when? Anyone who gets a severe cut or burn needs protection against tetanus. The Tdap vaccine also protects adolescents and adults against diphtheria and pertussis or whooping cough. Adolescents ages 11 through 18 should get one booster dose of Tdap after previous immunization. Adults ages 19 through 64 years should substitute Tdap for one booster does of Td (Tetanus and diphtheria). Also, adults who have close contact with an infant younger than one year old and health care workers should receive this immunization.
Anyone seeking immunization on March 31 will be screened by Providence nursing staff to establish need for immunization.
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Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is part of Providence Health & Services, the state’s leading health system and largest private employer. Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is a full-service, critical-access hospital with a 24-hour Emergency Department. Providence offers a wide range of health care services in the communities of the Columbia River Gorge through its clinics, care centers and senior living facilities.
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