FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Barnabas Medical Center Offers Drive-Through Flu Shots to the Public
GIBSONIA, Pa. (Richland Twp.), Sept. 19, 2012 – Those wishing to be immunized against the flu this winter may now obtain their influenza vaccination from St. Barnabas Medical Center, 5830 Meridian Road. Flu shots are being administered from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Medicare is accepted as well as most insurances. Shots can be administered on a walk-in basis to the public or by scheduling an appointment by calling 724-443-7231.
It’s easy, just pull-up to the door and roll-up your sleeve, flu vaccinations will be available on a drive-through basis from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the turn-around in front of the Medical Center building. The drive-through shots are intended for those with mobility difficulties. Please call ahead 724-443-7231.
Because influenza is an extremely contagious virus, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people get vaccinated each year – and don’t wait too long, get vaccinated early. Vaccinations are effective for three to six months. This year’s vaccination will again include protection against H1N1, H3N2 and B/Wisconsin strains of virus. Because influenza can pose serious health threats and further complications, the CDC strongly advises certain populations to get vaccinated: those age 65 or older; people with a weakened immune system, heart disease, diabetes, asthma or other serious diseases; pregnant women; people working in a medical facility, and nursing home residents and employees. Individuals with an allergy to eggs or egg products should not get the vaccination.
About St. Barnabas:
St. Barnabas Health System is the largest health care concern of its kind in Pennsylvania and offers service apart from the ordinary in a faith-based, non-denominational setting. Tracing its heritage back to 1900, the system serves approximately 900 inpatients and residents, plus 35,000 outpatients and home care clients. The health system is composed of the St. Barnabas Communities, including The Village at St. Barnabas, The Washington Place at St. Barnabas, The Woodlands at St. Barnabas and White Tail Ridge; St. Barnabas Clinical Services, including St. Barnabas Nursing Home, St. Barnabas Medical Center, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas; and St. Barnabas Charities, the fund-raising arm, which includes the Kean Theatre and Rudolph Auto Repair.
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www.stbarnabashealthsystem.com
St. Barnabas Health System, Media Relations, 5850 Meridian Rd., Gibsonia, PA 15044-9667
Contacts:
Shelli Sommariva, Marketing Communications Mgr., 724-443-0700, Ext. 5244; ssommariva@stbarnabashealthsystem.com
Megan Hoffman, Marketing Communications Coordinator, 724-444-5530; mhoffman@stbarnabashealthsystem.com