Patient Flu FAQ

Q: Why get vaccinated?
A: Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease. It spreads from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and can be dangerous for people with heart or breathing conditions. The seasonal flu strain kills 36,000 people, mostly elderly, each year in the United States. The H1N1 (swine) flu strain has been declared a pandemic, and is expected to have a strong re-appearance this Fall. The flu vaccine can help prevent the influenza virus.

Q: Are flu shots available at Concentra?
A: Beginning in September, you can walk into any Concentra Urgent Care location nationwide and get a seasonal flu shot, with no appointment necessary. One call to our toll-free Customer Care line — 866-944-6046 — lets you find the nearest Concentra Urgent Care, check hours, and confirm our accepted insurance plans. Our Customer Care line is available Mon - Fri 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Central

Q: Will Concentra provide vaccinations for pregnant women?
A: Women who will be pregnant during the flu season are considered high risk for complications from influenza and should get the vaccine. Concentra will provide inactivated seasonal flu vaccinations for pregnant women. We will also follow recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for administering the H1N1 (swine) flu to pregnant women as that vaccine becomes available.

Q: What are the age requirements for providing vaccinations?
A: The CDC recommends the annual seasonal flu vaccination for children aged 6 months and older. However, Concentra only administers vaccinations to children ages 9 and older. Concentra requires parental consent to administer vaccinations to minors; in most cases, age 18 is considered an adult, but that varies from state-to-state.

Q: Does the seasonal flu shot protect me from the Swine Flu (H1N1 virus)?
A: No. Although both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 (Swine Flu) are classified as Type A Influenza, they will require different vaccines due to differences in their strains. Once the vaccine is available, Concentra will alert patients and clients. Learn more about the H1N1 (swine flu).

Q: How much will I have to pay for the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines?
A: The season flu shot is just $25, and no appointment is necessary. You may pay using any accepted group health insurance plan, or by cash, check, or credit card. There is no cost for the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine, but there will be a standard fee to administer the injection.

Q: How is the vaccine administered?
A: Concentra medical personnel will inject the vaccination into the upper arm of the patient. We recommend that patients wear clothing that allows easy access to the upper arm area.

Q: I heard that the H1N1 vaccine may require two doses? How will you administer that?
A: The H1N1 vaccine is a single-dose vaccination for adults. For children, the CDC recommends two doses, given 30 days apart. Your Concentra medical staff will work with you to ensure that the initial and follow-up vaccinations are properly administered. In addition, all Concentra flu shot patients receive an easy-to-carry wallet card that helps track their seasonal and H1N1 doses.

Q: How can I protect against the flu?
A: There are several important steps that anyone can take to protect themselves and their loved ones against the flu, both seasonal and H1N1.

• Wash hands frequently: This will lessen the chance of carrying or transmitting any viruses that normally get stuck on the hands in day-to-day activities. Try to avoid rubbing eyes or touching nose with dirty hands. Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid close contact with sick people and crowds and increase your distance from people who are coughing and sneezing (called “social distancing”): Keep at least a few feet’s distance if you have the flu or are interacting with someone who has the flu. The communicable distance for most flu viruses is about three feet, so keep clear of this radius in order to avoid spread.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after using it. Try to teach your children to do the same. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If experiencing flu-like symptoms, don’t go out — stay at home. Call a health care provider, particularly if symptoms worsen.
• Keep sick children out of school, and stay home from work if you are sick. Aside from providing needed rest, such absences protect others from catching whatever you or your child has. If dealing with a flu case at home, make sure the flu sufferer (and even those who interact with this person) wear facial masks to lower the chances of spread.

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