image of the ANNC magnet emblem and link


Cotton-O’Neil Clinic Announces Dates for Annual Flu Shot Clinic

(Topeka, Kan., Sept. 23, 2008) – Cotton-O’Neil Clinic, a division of Stormont-Vail HealthCare, has announced the dates for its annual Flu Shot Clinics. These annual vaccination clinics make the flu vaccine easily accessible to all Cotton-O’Neil Clinic patients throughout Shawnee County and surrounding areas and ensure that those at greatest risk for developing complications from influenza will have access to the vaccination before flu season approaches.

Locations and schedules for the Cotton-O’Neil Flu Shot Clinics are:

Drive-thru Flu Clinic:
Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 21 through Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., clinic is held Tuesday through Thursday only
Located in the parking garage under the Stormont-Vail Surgical Suites (Enter off Garfield, between 9th and 10th Ave.)

Walk-in Flu Clinic:
Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., clinic is held Tuesday through Thursday only
Cotton-O’Neil Heart Center
929 S.W. Mulvane, Second Floor

Late October through November is typically the best time frame to be vaccinated. The flu shot helps the body fight the viruses that cause the flu. It does this by teaching your immune system to recognize flu viruses, so that it is “primed” or ready to fight the disease if you are exposed to it. This year vaccine manufacturers are projecting as many as 143 million to 146 million doses of influenza vaccine will be manufactured for use in the United States during the 2008-09 influenza season. This is an all-time high supply of vaccine making it possible for more people than ever to seek protection from the flu.

The most common side effects of the flu vaccination are soreness or redness where the shot was given. These symptoms go away in a few days. Other side effects such as fever or aches are extremely rare. The risk of severe allergic reaction is less than 1 in 4 million.

No appointment is needed to participate in either flu shot clinic. Participants are urged to dress appropriately for easy access to the upper arm area. Consent forms are available online at www.stormontvail.org and may be completed and brought to the flu shot clinic.

Any Cotton-O’Neil patient, 18 years of age and older, who has had a flu vaccine with no complications, can participate in the Drive-thru Flu Clinic. All others should visit the Walk-in Flu Clinic at the Cotton-O’Neil Heart Center or the primary care provider for the patient. Children under the age of 18 may be vaccinated by their primary care provider.

It is recommended that persons considered to be at high-risk of contracting the flu should be vaccinated in a timely manner.

People at high risk of developing complications from the flu and who should be vaccinated each year are:

  1. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
  2. Pregnant women
  3. People 50 years of age and older
  4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
  5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
  6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
    • Health care workers
    • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
    • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

For automated information regarding the 2008 Cotton-O’Neil Flu Shot Clinic, call (785) 354-9591.

# # #