| Flu
Clinics are scheduled
St Mary’s Hospital and Clinics have scheduled their regular flu clinics, according to Shari Kuther, RN, SMH Clinics Nursing Coordinator. The Kamiah Medical Clinic will provide shots on October 19th and 21st from 8:30 to 4:30. The Cottonwood Medical Clinic will provide flu shots on Wednesday, October 27th in the morning and October 28th during regular business hours. The Nezperce, Grangeville and Craigmont clinics will provide shots on the days the health care providers are available. No appointments are necessary. According to Kuther, SMHC can bill Medicare, Medicaid and Champus so people should bring their proof of insurance cards. “We cannot bill private insurances so those who don’t qualify for the above insurances should bring $35 for a flu shot and $55 if they would like a pneumonia vaccination. Costs are payable at time of visit.” If people cannot schedule a visit during the scheduled flu shot clinics they are welcome to drop by at other times after those dates. This year’s seasonal flu vaccine includes the H1N1 vaccine. People who need flu shots the most are those in the high risk categories including individuals over the age of 65; residents of long term care facilities; those with compromised immune systems; children and adults with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma; patients with chronic metabolic diseases, including diabetes; those with kidney disease; women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season and health care workers;. Flu shots are also available from the health department and in a variety of other locations. Information about flu and other vaccines is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: www.cdc.gov . Parkinson's group to meet The St Mary’s Hospital Parkinson’s support group meets the fourth Wednesday of every month from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the downstairs conference room. The group has been meeting since August, but anyone whose life has been impacted by the disease is welcome to attend at any time. The October 27thmeeting will feature a video “Managing Parkinson’s: Straight Talk and Honest Hope”. According to Sr. Janet Barnard, SMHC Mission Integration Coordinator and group facilitator, the film is about maximizing quality of life in the face of this chronic illness. “Anyone is welcome to any meeting. Although we’ve been meeting for a few months we always welcome new members or just people who would like to drop in for a single meeting, said Sr. Janet. “We offer support to spouses and family members and welcome returning and new members.” There is no need to register for the group. For more information call Sr. Janet at SMHC, 476-3251. |
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