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 2010–2011 seasonal influenza vaccine will include the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine. Thus only one vaccination is needed and you will be protected against the 2010-11 seasonal flu and the 2010-11 H1N1 Influenza.

FLU VACCINATIONS

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. The U.S. 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine will protect against an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus that emerged last year to cause the first global pandemic in more than 40 years and resulted in substantial illness, hospitalizations and deaths. The Seasonal 2010-11 vaccine has begun shipping from manufacturers and CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a 2010-2011 flu vaccine for the upcoming season as vaccine is available. 

SAVE SPENDING ON UNNECESSARY HEALTH COSTS AND LOST DAYS FROM WORK BY PROVIDING FLU VACCINATIONS TO ALL OF YOUR EMPLOYEES

H1N1 INFLUENZA UPDATE

The U.S. Public Health Emergency for 2009 H1N1 Influenza expired on June 23, 2010. On August 10, 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee declared an end to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic globally. For information about CDC’s response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, visit The 2009 H1N1 Pandemic: Summary Highlights, April 2009-April 2010.  Internationally, 2009 H1N1 viruses and seasonal influenza viruses are co-circulating in many parts of the world.  It is likely that the 2009 H1N1 virus will continue to spread for years to come, like a regular seasonal influenza virus.

Please visit the CDC’s website http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ 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 residents and visitors of Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Del Rey, Playa Del Rey, Culver City, Santa Monica and Westchester. As an urgent care center we treat a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries including sprains and fractures, childhood illnesses, bruises and lacerations, asthma and bronchitis, ear aches, coughs and sore throats, flu and fevers, minor allergic reactions from bites and stings, rashes and minor burns, and work related injuries.

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