University Hospitals Joins Focus on Flu

Health System to hold flu clinics Saturday, November 1, 9-11 am

While many Americans are fixated on the threat of Ebola, Cleveland’s healthcare community wants to remind people to protect themselves against a tangible threat that kills 3,000 to 49,000 Americans annually – influenza. University Hospitals has joined with the City of Cleveland and other local hospitals in a collaborative public awareness effort, Focus on Flu, aimed at educating residents about the importance of flu vaccinations.

Unlike the common cold and many other viral respiratory infections, the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. It is estimated that in the United States, each year on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications.

“Getting a flu shot is one of the best things that you can do for your health,” said Michael Anderson, MD, Chief Medical Officer of University Hospitals Case Medical Center.  “It not only offers personal protection to an individual, it also helps stop the spread of the flu to other people – family members, friends, co-workers.  I cannot stress enough the importance of getting a flu shot.”

UH will be holding flu shot clinics at all UH community hospitals on Saturday, November 1 from 9 to 11 am. Shots will be $15 and free for Medicare recipients. The flu clinics will be held in the main lobby at:

UH Ahuja Medical Center, 3999 Richmond Road, Beachwood

UH Bedford Medical Center, 44 Blaine Avenue, Bedford

UH Conneaut Medical Center, 158 West Main Road, Conneaut

UH Elyria Medical Center, 630 East River Street, Elyria

UH Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon

UH Geneva Medical Center, 870 West Main Street, Geneva

UH Parma Medical Center, 7007 Powers Blvd., Parma

UH Richmond Medical Center, 27100 Chardon Road, Richmond Heights

St. John Medical Center, 299000 Center Ridge Road, Westlake

No appointments necessary. For more information go to UHhospitals.org/FocusOnFlu