Flu Clinic Scheduled For At-Risk Seniors Home Nursing Agency, the Area Agency on Aging for Bedford, Huntingdon and Fulton Counties along with UPMC Bedford Memorial will be conducting a collaborative flu clinic for Bedford County Senior Citizens with chronic health problems that would be considered 'at-risk' for the influenza virus. The clinic is scheduled for Friday, October 22 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Bedford Area Senior Citizens Center and is open only to residents of Bedford County ages 65 and older with chronic health problems. The center is located at the Fort Bedford Inn Apartments. Senior citizens attending the flu clinic should be aware that immunizations will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. Medicare, Geisinger Gold and Security Blue Insurance Plans cover the cost of the immunization. The cost to those without these insurances is $18 to defray expenses. The flu clinic will be well staffed. However, long waiting lines are anticipated and chairs will not be provided in order to maintain safe walkways and exits. "Since many healthcare providers in Bedford County were left without vaccine when one of the nation's major suppliers, Chiron, was unable to provide the vaccine, we determined that the region would be best served if we worked in conjunction with the Area Agency on Aging and UPMC Bedford Memorial. Our outreach is focused on those 65 years of age or older who experience chronic health conditions. It currently seems that there simply will not be enough vaccine locally for everyone," said Rebecca Willnecker, Home Nursing Agency's Senior Vice President. Home Nursing Agency did receive some of its annual supply, traditionally used for a multiple-county flu campaign at public sites. “As we reviewed the critical shortage and the information coming in from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA), we decided that our public sites may not be the best way to reach the region's most at-risk or to screen individuals,” added Willnecker. Home Nursing Agency, Area Agency on Aging and UPMC want to ensure the most elderly neighbors are a priority to receive of the already limited amount of available vaccines. Providing the shots through the Fort Bedford Senior Citizen Center is one way to make sure these individuals have access. "We're very pleased to participate in this joint effort to keep our elders healthy and to prevent hospitalizations as well as reduce the potential adverse reactions the influenza virus can cause seniors. I believe it is very appropriate that this clinic be conducted at the senior center to focus on our older residents most at risk," said Alan Smith, Director of Area Agency on Aging for Bedford, Huntingdon and Fulton Counties. "UPMC Bedford Memorial Nurses have extensive experience in the delivery of community flu vaccine programs and we are extremely pleased to assist with this important effort," said Scot Hartnett, UPMC Bedford Memorial Regional Director of Communications. In a normal year, AAA and UPMC Bedford could immunize more than 1500 elderly against the flu virus. On Friday, the supply will be less than a one-third of that amount. "We are grateful to have even a small amount of vaccine to help protect our seniors. We ask that individuals consider their risk and their physicians' recommendations regarding the necessity of a flu shot. If a healthy senior citizen believes he or she can take a few more precautions this season to prevent exposure to the flu, and forego the immunization, this will certainly be a help to others at greater risk," advised Smith. For healthy individuals forfeiting the immunizations this year so others more at risk can receive them, the CDC offers the following prevention advice: Eat healthy and get plenty of rest. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school or errands when you are sick. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands often. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs are often spread from contaminated surfaces to these areas. Lynn Corbett, Home Nursing Agency, Director of Marketing, 800.992.2554 Scot Hartnett, UPMC Bedford Memorial Regional Director of Communications, 814.533.0246 Alan Smith, Director of Area Agency on Aging, 800.892.7903
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