TUBA CITY, Ariz. –TTuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) will be offering flu shots to those at high risk of severe influenza (flu) complications in October.
Native Americans are encouraged to get their flu shots every flu season. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Native American Indians are four times more likely to have complications from the flu than other Americans.
“There is some evidence that Native Americans have a higher attack rate for flu and more complications than other ethnic groups,” said Dr. Diana Hu, Pediatrician and Immunization Coordinator at the Tuba City Regional Medical Center. “This is actually true for indigenous persons around the globe, and the reasons are unclear. However, this makes it more important that Native people get flu shots each year to prevent spreading the flu in their communities.”
Native Americans that have other health conditions, such as, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and asthma, are at higher risk of having complications (like pneumonia or lung infection) from an influenza infection.
We encourage everyone over 6 months of age to receive a flu vaccine sometime this year. TCRHCC has only received a limited amount of flu vaccine, therefore, beginning the first week of October, nurses at the Tuba City hospital will screen people to ensure they fall into the high-risk categories. The medical staff at the Tuba City hospital recommends the following groups of people to get a flu shot NOW:
- People age 65 and older,
- Children ages 6 months to 23 months,
- 2 years to 64 years with chronic health problems,
- Pregnant women,
- Healthcare workers who provide direct patient care, and
- Caretakers that care for children less than 6 months old.
People who are not in the priority groups are encouraged to wait until mid-October to get the flu vaccination at the Tuba City hospital or community based flu clinics sponsored by the hospital. Flu season typically runs from October through March, and vaccinations can be given at any time during those months.
To reach out to the rest of the community, “We have planned two community events for vaccination where we will catch up with the healthy members of the community,” said Dr. Hu. The Tuba City Regional Medical Center sponsors community events where a team of nurses, physicians and pharmacy staff will offer the Influenza Vaccination to anyone wanting to receive a Flu Shot on these days:
October 20, 2010
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM DST
Tonalea Chapter House
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM DST
Le Chee Chapter House
October 26, 2010
7:00 AM – 7:00 PMDST
Tuba City High School
For those unable to make it to the Community Flu Clinic, there will be a Flu Clinic at the Tuba City hospital opening in October. The Flu Clinic hours and location will be provided later in the month. Other community events may be scheduled in November. Please check at www.tchealth.orgfor updates.
For our patients living in Flagstaff, the Sacred Peaks Health Center is also planning a Community Flu Clinic, Thursday, October 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. The clinic is located at 3480 East Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona.
Each clinic site will offer non-beneficiaries the flu vaccine for a nominal fee. Non-beneficiaries are encouraged to bring their insurance and patient registration information.
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