Convenient Care Association (CCA) Members Support CDC's National Influenza Vaccination Week

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- During any given year in the United States, up to 60 million people can contract some form of the flu, more than 200,000 are hospitalized from flu complications, and an estimated 36,000 people die from influenza-related illnesses. The most at risk are also America's most vulnerable - the oldest and the youngest members of the population, as well as those with certain pre-existing health conditions.

In light of these statistics, and in support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's week-long National Influenza Vaccination initiative (November 27 - December 3), the Convenient Care Association's member clinics are working to raise awareness of the importance of flu vaccination, and promoting increased access to flu vaccine through the end of the year and beyond.

"Our members stand ready, willing and able to vaccinate any and all patients," said Convenient Care Association executive director, Tine Hansen- Turton. "All of our clinics, which are located in high-traffic retail outlets with immediately accessible pharmacy services, are committed to support the CDC's campaign, promoting the use of vaccinations, and delivering needed flu shots promptly and efficiently - without the need for an appointment."

Indeed, the CCA, made up of convenient care clinics across the nation, reports that its members are already issuing anywhere from 25 to 50 flu vaccines a day at individual clinic sites. To date, the group receiving the most vaccinations are adults over 40 years of age.

Patients can participate in the CDC's National Influenza Vaccination initiative by visiting a Convenient Care Clinic any day of the week, without an appointment. The cost of a flu shot varies, and different insurance plans may provide varying levels of coverage.

Participating CCA clinics can be found in: Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Established in August, 2006, the Convenient Care Association, supported by its members, is committed to ongoing development of uniform protocols which enhance and assist clinics' health care providers, implementing medical record sharing procedures with physicians and other health care providers, and offering recommendations for patient follow-up care.

For more information visit: http://www.convenientcareassociation.org/.