Starting mid August 2011, Playa Vista Medical Center will have the 2011-2012 flu and pneumonia vaccinations available to area employers on a first come basis.

Playa Vista Medical Center can make arrangements to conveniently come to your company location to administer the flu vaccination (a minimum of 25 immunizations are requested). Alternatively area employers can send their employees to the clinic for a flu shot. No appointment is necessary and only a Flu Vaccine Consent Form needs to be completed. Area employers would be direct billed for this service; the cost for the flu vaccine is only $25 per employee.

At the recommendation of the World Heath Organization, the Northern Hemisphere's 2011–2012 seasonal influenza vaccine will include the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine. Thus only one vaccination is needed and you will be protected against the 2011-12 seasonal flu and the 2011-12 H1N1 Influenza.

FLU VACCINATIONS

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu.

Vaccine Selection for the 2011–2012 Influenza Season

The United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has chosen the three influenza (“flu”) viruses for inclusion in the 2011-2012 seasonal flu vaccine based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (“WHO”). Each year, experts from FDA, WHO, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and other institutions study virus samples collected from around the world to identify the influenza viruses that are the most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season so that people can be protected against them through vaccination.

WHO recommended that the Northern Hemisphere's 2011–2012 seasonal influenza vaccine contain the following three vaccine viruses:

• an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus;
• an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.

These are the same viruses that were selected for the Northern Hemisphere for the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine.

Although the 2011-12 seasonal influenza vaccine is the same as last year, health officials strongly recommend that everyone receive a new vaccination this year as the protection offered by flu vaccines can significantly fade after some months, particularly in weak and elderly people. In fact, health officials are persuading everyone to get their repeat shots this year as early as possible. It is suggested that everyone receive the vaccine prior to December 2011 in order to provide maximum protection during the December 2011 through April 2012 flu season.

Please visit the CDC’s website http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ and for further information.

PNEUMONIA VACCINATIONS

The CDC also recommends a pneumonia vaccination for those at risk. Those at risk include:

• People ages 2 to 64 with chronic underlying conditions such as diabetes and heart disease;

• People who have asthma;
• People who smoke; and
• People over the age of 65.
  

The cost for the pneumonia vaccine is $60. The pneumonia vaccination can be given at the same time as the Flu Shot and requires only a Pneumonia Vaccine Consent Form to be completed.

The target population for the pneumonia vaccination is those that are most likely to die or have serious complications from the flu. The vaccine provides protection against pneumonia for up to 10 years thereby providing protection not only for this flu season but for future seasons as well. 1/3 of all flu related pneumonia deaths can be prevented by vaccination.

Side affects of pneumonia vaccine are mostly local and include swelling and tenderness.

Playa Vista Medical Center is conveniently located in Concert Park in Playa Vista serving the employers of Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Culver City, Santa Monica, Venice, and Westchester. We offer emergency treatment for minor on the job injuries and access to physical therapy. Occupational services include: treatment of on the job injuries, Drug Screens (NIDA and non NIDA), Breath Alcohol Testing, DOT, DMV and HAZ Mat exams, First Aid and Light Duty Assignments, Pre-employment Physicals, Executive Physicals and Work Travel Medicine, Respiratory Compliance, Return-To-Work Assessments, PPD tests, Flu shots and Immunization Clinics, and Onsite X-ray, Laboratory and Pharmacy.

For further information or to schedule a flu clinic, please visit our website http://www.pvmedcenter.com or contact Susan Karpiel at 310-862-0400 (clinic), 562-883-0629 (cell) or via email skarpiel@pvmedcenter.com  or susankarpiel@verizon.net

PROTECT YOUR EMPLOYEES THE FORECASTED 2011/2012 FLU SEASON AND SAVE SPENDING ON UNNECESSARY HEALTH COSTS AND LOST DAYS FROM WORK BY PROVIDING FLU VACCINATIONS TO YOUR EMPLOYEES.