Visiting Nurse Association Begins Receiving Flu Vaccine and Prepares For Severe Flu Season

DENVER – (Sept. 12, 2007) – Flu season is coming, complete with chills, fever, cough and sore throat. Fortunately, the Visiting Nurse Association is prepared.

On Friday, the non-profit organization received 25,000 doses of flu vaccine and anticipates receiving an additional 30,000 by October 1, when it begins offering flu shots.

“Based on the severity of Australia’s flu season, we anticipate that this year’s flu season will be more severe than last year’s. Plus, confirmed flu cases in Hawaii indicate that the season is beginning much sooner than last year,” said Mimi Allen, community wellness division manager at the Visiting Nurse Association.

According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year in the United States, on average:
• 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu;
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and
• About 36,000 people die from flu.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. Beginning October 1, the Visiting Nurse Association will host public flu shot clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 390 Grant Street in Denver. For more information, including additional clinic locations, please call (303) 698-2121 or visit www.vnacolorado.org.

About Visiting Nurse Association
Founded in 1889, the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is Colorado’s oldest and largest home health care agency. A non-profit agency, VNA improves quality of life by providing excellent health care to people where they live and work. Exploring and developing health-related programs based on community needs, the agency provides an array of services in three focal areas: home care, hospice and health and wellness. For more information, visit www.vnacolorado.org.

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