Share on Social Media using #igottheshot
Did you get the shot? ThedaCare wants to know if you did – the flu vaccine that is. And ThedaCare wants to know who you got the shot for – yourself, your family, your friends or your coworkers with a social media campaign called #igottheshot. When people get vaccinated, they should use that hashtag when sharing that info on social media.
“A flu vaccine protects you and the ones around you,” said Zachary Baeseman, MD, ThedaCare Physicians-Waupaca. “It is important to take care of your own health and well-being, which also impacts those close to you.”
ThedaCare At Home will offer an adult flu shot clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 15 at the Waupaca Senior Center, 407 School St. No appointment is necessary and patients must be 18 or older.
For people 65 years of age and older, there is a high-dose vaccine containing 4 times the amount of antigen contained in regular flu shots.
Medicare (Part B) Insurance covers the full cost of the flu and pneumonia shot, so please bring all Medicare and Insurance Cards. All non-Medicare shots are cash or check only. No insurance billing is available for non-Medicare shots.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can come on suddenly, cause mild to severe illness, and can lead to death. “It’s different than a cold, especially for patients at high risk of requiring a hospitalization for it, including any patient with lung disease, like asthma and COPD, smokers, and pregnancy,” said Dr. Baeseman.
Symptoms include:
- Fever, although not everyone who gets the flu will get a fever, or feeling feverish or chilled
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
Recovery time for most people is a few days to less than two weeks. But some people can develop complications, such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. “Anyone can get the flu,” said Dr. Baeseman. “Even healthy people. This is not something to take lightly.”
People at high risk from the flu include people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, pregnant women, and young children.
In addition to the ThedaCare At Home clinic, people can contact ThedaCare Physicians to make an appointment. Children under 2 must see their primary care provider. All forms of payment are accepted. FluMist is available.
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,800 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 35 clinics in 14 counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. Construction of ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton is underway.
