MedExpress Quotes Late Summer, Early Fall As Best Time to Receive Flu Shot

MORGANTOWN, W.Va., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- MedExpress Urgent Care, a national leader in delivering high-quality and convenient walk-in medical care, is now offering flu shots for ages four and up at each of its 135 centers across the country and advising patients to get their flu shot early.

According to the CDC, all 2013-2014 flu vaccines expired at the end of June, making late summer and early fall an ideal time to get vaccinated for the upcoming flu season. MedExpress Vice President of Provider and Clinical Quality, Thomas Pangburn, M.D., suggests getting a flu shot as early as they become available because it can take two weeks for the body's immune system to develop the antibodies to protect against the virus.

"It's best to get your flu shot now – before the onset of flu season which typically begins in October," said Pangburn. "The more people who protect against the virus, the less flu in general – which is good for everyone. It's especially important for seniors, pregnant women, children and individuals with asthma, diabetes and lung disease to get their flu shots early."

MedExpress sees over two million patients annually and in the last year saw a slight increase in the number of influenza-like illness patient visits. According to the CDC, flu spreads every year, although the timing, severity and length of the season varies year-to-year. MedExpress traditionally begins to see a slight uptick in flu-related illnesses as early as September and October, and in 2013, reported its highest percentage of flu-like illness patients in December and January. 

"Healthy people of all ages can get sick and spread flu to others, even before they are showing symptoms," said Pangburn. "Flu can also spread more easily when lots of people are together – like back to school."

As a neighborhood medical center, MedExpress offers a broad scope of urgent care, occupational health and wellness and prevention services and works to coordinate care with other area health care providers. MedExpress centers are staffed by a full medical team and are open 12 hours a day, seven days a week with no appointment needed. They offer walk-in treatment for everyday illness and injury, including X-rays, IVs, EKGs, labs, minor surgery, stitches and treatment for broken bones, sprains and strains; wellness and prevention services such as flu shots and tobacco cessation counseling to help patients maintain their overall health; as well as occupational health services such as employee injury care, screenings and physicals.

About MedExpress
MedExpress is a national leader in delivering high-quality, convenient and affordable walk-in care. It provides a broad scope of services including urgent care, occupational health and wellness & prevention. MedExpress' full-service neighborhood medical centers are open 12 hours per day, seven days a week and always have a fully staffed medical team on site. MedExpress currently operates centers in 11 states and employs more than 3,400 people. MedExpress has administrative offices in Morgantown, W.Va., and Canonsburg, Pa. For more information, visit www.medexpress.com.

SOURCE MedExpress