RediClinic Announces Flu Vaccinations Now Available

HOUSTON, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- RediClinic LLC announced today that flu vaccinations for the 2007-2008 flu season are now available at all of its convenient in-store clinics. In an effort to ensure that everyone over age four has access to flu protection, RediClinic is now accepting most insurance plans and Medicare for the vaccinations. RediClinic is also offering the vaccination for $25 or free when other select RediClinic "Stay Well" health services are purchased.

RediClinic "Stay Well" health packages are geared to help consumers and their family members of all ages stay healthy throughout the cold and flu season. The select packages, which are all priced at $69 and include the flu vaccination for free ($25 savings), are:

    -- Pneumonia vaccination -- The CDC recommends this vaccination for
       everyone over 65 or anyone over age two with long-term chronic health
       issues.
    -- Tdap vaccination (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis/whooping cough) --
       Immunity to pertussis/whooping cough can fade five to 10 years after
       childhood immunizations.  The CDC recommends this vaccination for
       everyone who has not had a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) or Tdap booster
       in the last two years.
    -- "7 Vital Tests for Health" -- Includes seven essential measures of
       wellness: cholesterol screening, glucose screening, kidney and liver
       function tests, thyroid panel, complete blood count, blood pressure and
       Body Mass Index.

As an additional offer, RediClinic is including a free flu shot with a $69 physical exam. RediClinic provides routine adult and child physicals for everyone over age two to check their health this fall, and completes all of the related forms, as well.

In a report just released, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reiterated a previous recommendation that everyone should be vaccinated, including school-aged children, in order to reduce the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting it to others. The CDC report also reemphasized the importance of administering two doses of flu vaccine to all children, ages six months to eight years, if they have not been vaccinated previously.

Influenza, also called the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness with potentially serious complications. Statistics show that, on average, each year more than 200,000 people across the United States are hospitalized with flu complications, and about 36,000 die from it. While most people who become ill with the flu experience fever, muscle aches and headaches, it can also lead to more serious complications such as pneumonia, ear infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.

"The flu vaccine is the single most effective way to avoid getting the flu, and we are pleased to be able to provide our customers with a convenient and affordable way to get vaccinated," said Web Golinkin, president and chief executive officer of RediClinic. "No appointments are necessary at RediClinic, and with extended weekday and weekend hours, people can drop by when they are out shopping and running errands to get the flu protection they need for themselves and their loved ones."

RediClinic is offering the flu vaccinations to everyone four years old and up. However, getting vaccinated is especially important for those people at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

    -- pregnant women (RediClinic requires a note from their obstetrician
       indicating they are eligible to be vaccinated)
    -- people 50 years of age or older
    -- people with chronic diseases and medical conditions
    -- people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
    -- people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications
       from the flu

While October and November are the recommended months for getting the flu vaccine, it is beneficial to get vaccinated anytime during the flu season, which lasts until May. As a new strain of virus appears each season, it is important to get vaccinated every year. RediClinics will have an ample supply of flu vaccine throughout the flu season.

RediClinics are in-store healthcare facilities that offer consumers easy access to high-quality, routine health services at affordable prices. RediClinics are staffed by certified nurse practitioners who work with local physicians to diagnose, treat and prescribe medications for common conditions, such as earaches, strep throat and upper respiratory infections. They also administer a wide range of preventive services, including health screening tests and other vaccinations, and back-to-school physical exams.

RediClinics are open seven days a week (including most holidays) and offer extended hours on weekdays. Adults and children over age two are welcome, no appointments are necessary, and a typical visit takes about 15 minutes.

RediClinic uses a proprietary electronic medical record system to document and guide patient visits. This system ensures patient suitability to RediClinic's limited scope of practice and facilitates continuity of care when other clinicians are involved. Patients who cannot be treated at RediClinic, or who need ongoing treatment, are referred to their primary care provider, if they have one, or to other physicians in their communities.

RediClinic visits are now covered by the four largest commercial health insurance carriers -- Aetna, CIGNA, Humana and UnitedHealthcare -- as well as by Medicare and a growing number of regional carriers such as Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. Those who are covered by health plans that do not currently have agreements with RediClinic receive specially-formatted receipts that can be filed for possible reimbursement.

RediClinic operates 18 locations in H-E-B stores in Houston, Austin and San Antonio, Texas; 13 locations in Wal-Mart stores in Tulsa, Okla., Fayetteville and Rogers, Ark., and Richmond, Va.; and 16 clinics located in Walgreens stores in Atlanta, Ga. Additional RediClinics are scheduled to open throughout 2007.

For a complete list of locations, services, prices and additional information on RediClinic, visit http://www.rediclinic.com.

Revolution Clinics, an affiliate of the Revolution Health Group, a company created by AOL co-founder Steve Case, is RediClinic LLC's largest investor and is providing the capital to support the national rollout of RediClinic LLC.

RediClinic LLC

Since 1989, RediClinic (formerly known as InterFit Health) has provided people with easy access to high-quality, affordable healthcare services. Today the company is the largest independent convenient care operator and is the largest provider of retail health screening services in the United States. The company also provides health screenings, flu shots and other health-related services to major employers. For more information, visit http://www.rediclinic.com.

Revolution Clinics

Revolution Clinics is an affiliate of Revolution Health Group, a leading consumer-centric health company. Revolution Health strives to empower consumers by putting them at the center of the health system, building innovative health-related companies through investments, acquisitions and partnerships. The company's strategy is to create businesses and products that provide greater consumer choice, control and convenience in three key healthcare sectors affected by the rapid growth of the Internet and defined-contribution health plans: content, coverage and care.