ANMC pharmacy prepares for flu season
September 30, 2016Categories: Alaska Native Medical Center
As the flu season approaches, ANMC is gearing up for our annual flu vaccine clinic, which will be held every Saturday in October (Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29) at the Anchorage Primary Care Center in the Primary Care Clinic 2 East. The clinic is for patients age 5 and older who have an established medical chart at ANMC. The Saturday Flu Vaccine Clinic will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday. No appointment is necessary to get a flu vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome, to make it as easy and convenient as possible for all Tribal members to get vaccinated against influenza. “The flu vaccine is important in protecting not only yourself, but your community,” said Kara King, ANMC Outpatient Pharmacy Manager. “Now is the time to get vaccinated, don’t wait until your first cough or first fever. Don’t hesitate, vaccinate!” Flu vaccination is safe, easily accessible, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Social Services both recommend the flu vaccine as the best preventive measure against the flu. For vaccination information around Alaska or to get vaccinated, contact your local Tribal health organization or your ANMC provider. Learn more about influenza and vaccination myths and facts at: www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm. The Joint Commission also has a fact sheet that clears up some common myths and facts about the flu vaccination. You can find it at: https://www.jointcommission.org/influenza_and_influenza_vaccine_myths_and_reality/. The CDC has more information on “Protecting the Circle of Life” through vaccination at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/native/protect_circle_life_factsheet.pdf. For more information about the ANMC Flu Vaccine Clinic, please call the ANMC pharmacy at (907) 729-4172.