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| Photo courtesy of TAMC Jennifer Tweedie, RN, TAMC’s manager of infection prevention, prepared to administer a flu shot to Jeff Robertson, owner of Beaulieu’s Garage and Body Shop, during the Free Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic at TAMC’s Caribou Health Center last October. TAMC has announced several free flu shot clinic dates to be held through the coming month in various central Aroostook communities. |
TAMC officials are planning six upcoming free seasonal flu shot clinics in central Aroostook County to get as many community members vaccinated as possible. The health care provider will offer three traditional walk-in clinics, including one for pediatric patients, and three of its popular drive-up clinics.
After successfully trialing the concept in 2011 with one drive-up clinic in Presque Isle, and expanding in recent years to the property around its Caribou and Fort Fairfield health centers with positive feedback and growing numbers, TAMC will again this year offer three drive-up flu shot clinics.
“Over the past few years, we have discovered that people really like the convenience of the drive-up clinics and some people, who otherwise would not have gotten a flu shot, come out to be vaccinated because it is so convenient,” said Dr. Jay Reynolds, TAMC’s chief medical officer and chief operating officer. “The reason we offer these free flu shot clinics is because we know firsthand that it makes a difference keeping people healthy during the flu season.”
TAMC’s fall 2014 flu shot clinic schedule is as follows:
• Saturday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Walk-in Clinic) at the General Aviation Hangar at the Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle. This is part of the Take Flight with Good Health TAMC Annual Fall Health Fair.
• Saturday, Oct. 11 from 1-3 p.m. (Drive-up Clinic) at TAMC’s A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital on Academy Street in Presque Isle in the Crown Emergency Care Ambulance Garage.
• Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4-6 p.m. (Walk-in Clinic) at TAMC’s Mars Hill Health Center at 106 Main St. The flu shot clinic will be part of an open house event co-hosted by TAMC’s Mars Hill Health Center and the Mars Hill Pharmacy. Free refreshments, door prizes and a bouncy house for kids will be part of the early evening festivities.
• Saturday, Oct. 18 from 9-11 a.m. (Drive-up Clinic) at TAMC’s Caribou Health Center in the Bennett Drive Shopping Plaza.
• Saturday, Oct. 18 from 1-3 p.m. (Drive-up Clinic) at TAMC’s Fort Fairfield Health Center (former Community General Hospital Building) at 33 High St.
• Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Pediatric Flu Shot Clinic (Walk-in Clinic) at TAMC’s North Street Healthcare/Aroostook Pediatrics Office. Also planned (from 10-11 a.m.) at the same location is the Discovery Days program for youth age 4-8 titled “Bone Connection.” The session, led by the team at TAMC Orthopedics, will engage participating children in a hands-on activity. TAMC’s infection prevention team will also be on hand with demonstrations on the importance of hand hygiene.
“To get a flu shot at the drive-up clinics, simply follow the signs in the parking lot, put down your window, complete some very simple paperwork, and roll up your sleeve,” said Reynolds. “Our flu shot crew will administer the vaccine as you sit in your car. After you receive your flu shot, you can be on your way. It really is the easiest way to get vaccinated.”
Flu shots offered at TAMC’s fall clinics are provided free of charge and are appropriate for adults of all ages (with the exception of the pediatric clinic Nov. 1, which is for pediatric patients only). According to Reynolds, the drive-up clinics will appeal to anyone who is looking for an easy way to get vaccinated, including young adults, senior citizens, and families.
TAMC is emphasizing flu vaccination because, according to the CDC, all adults should get a flu shot. When more people get vaccinated, the spread of the disease decreases, which helps protect everyone, especially older adults, the chronically ill, young children, and others who are at higher risk of developing complications from getting the flu.
“Getting a flu shot is one of the most important things people can do to remain healthy this fall and winter,” said Jennifer Tweedie, TAMC’s manager of infection prevention. “People of all ages should get the vaccine. Any side effects are minor and last a very short time, and contrary to what some believe, you cannot get the flu as a result of getting vaccinated.”
For more information about TAMC’s fall flu shot schedule, please visit www.tamc.org or call 768-4044.
