Flu Clinics Offered in New London, Social Media Campaign Highlights Need
As flu season kicks off, ThedaCare is reminding people to get the influenza shot this year and share when they got vaccinated on social media with a campaign called #igottheshot.
“There is no reason to not get a flu shot,” said Subha Rajan, MD, ThedaCare Physicians-New London. “It protects you and those around you. And you can get the shot – for your family, friends, coworkers, and yourself.”
New London residents have several options to get vaccinated.
ThedaCare Physicians is offering flu clinics:
- 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sat. Oct. 3
- 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sat. Oct. 17.
Appointments are preferred. Call 920-531-2400 to schedule an appointment.
ThedaCare At Home is holding two adult flu shot clinics in New London:
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 6 at Piggly Wiggly, 1919 N. Shawano St.
- 10 a.m. to 1p.m. Tues. Oct. 13 at Festival Foods, 308 N. Shawano 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 people need to 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 and can cause mild to severe symptoms. It can also cause death. “The flu can hit anyone,” said Dr. Rajan. “That is why they should get a vaccine.”
Flu 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.
It can take a few days to less than two weeks to recover from the flu. Some people can develop complications, such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Those at high risk 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 public flu clinics offered in New London, 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.
Another option is ThedaCare FastCare, W3208 Van Roy Rd., Darboy or 1000 W. Northland Ave., Appleton. Patients 2-49 years old can receive FluMist. Patients 3 years or older can receive the flu shot.
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. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
