Inova Health System Offering Flu Shots throughout the Region

Vaccine Highly Recommended for Children, Seniors

FALLS CHURCH, VA – September 16, 2014 – Inova Health System’s HealthSource is now offering influenza vaccinations to children and adults throughout the Washington region. As with previous years, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that anyone six months and older be vaccinated annually. Each year, about 36,000 people in the United States die from causes related to seasonal flu, while more than 200,000 people are hospitalized. An annual flu vaccination is safe and convenient, and can be up to 90 percent effective in protecting against this serious illness.

Flu activity typically increases in October and most commonly peaks between January and March, but the CDC recommends vaccination before the onset of the illness in the community. Inova’s highly trained nurses can help protect members of the community by providing vaccines at walk-in clinics and multiple locations in the area.

Persons at high risk for serious complications from influenza include:

• Children six months to five years of age
• Adults with children up to 18 years of age
• Adults age 50 and over
• Adults and children who have medical conditions that lower your body’s immune system such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV, among others
• Adults who live in, work at, or have contact with anyone in institutions such as schools, nursing homes and/or hospitals
• Women who are pregnant in any trimester, or who may deliver during flu season

The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Each child receiving the vaccine must be accompanied by a legal guardian or parent. Seniors with Medicare Part B can receive a flu shot at no charge by presenting their Medicare card. The cost for the flu shot is $30 per person (cash or check accepted). Inova will also be offering FluMist and FluZone HighDose at its hospital-based clinics.

Inova Health System is one of the Northern Virginia’s largest providers of flu shots, vaccinating as many as 45,000 people each year. To set up a flu vaccination clinic at your workplace, church or community group, call 703-689-2424. For more information about immunizations and other flu related services, and to find a clinic near you, visit inova.org/flu, or call 1-877-895-5BUG.

Media Contact: Tracy Connell, 703-289-2087, tracy.connell@inova.org