Clayton, NC, September 17, 2014 – With flu season upon us, FastMed Urgent Care, the largest urgent care network in North Carolina and sixth largest in the U.S., has launched its 2014-2015 annual statewide “Protect your family and yourself. Get the flu shot.” campaign, encouraging North Carolinians and their families to combat the flu this season through a three step process: prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
“Flu activity is low across the United States now, but usually begins to increase in October and most commonly peaks between January and March,” said Melvin G. Lee, Chief Medical Officer, North Carolina. “It can take up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to take effect in the body, so we always encourage our patients to be proactive and not wait until the flu starts moving through the community before getting the vaccine.”
Unlike a cold, the onset of flu symptoms develops quickly and has serious consequences, which is why FastMed has launched the “Protect your family and yourself. Get the flu shot.” campaign. In fact, the CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older. Up to twenty percent of U.S. residents contract the flu each year, resulting in 200,000 hospitalizations, increased health care costs, substantial disruptions to individual lives and the workplace, and a huge drain on the overall economy.
The “Protect your family and yourself. Get the flu shot.” campaign commits educational resources and clinical expertise to help the public prepare for and combat the flu. The three pillars of the campaign are:
- Prevention: Vaccination is the surest way to prevent the flu, and FastMed offers low cost vaccinations seven days a week, 365 days a year with extended evening hours. FastMed also counsels patients to frequently wash their hands, use hand sanitizer and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
In addition, FastMed provides online educational content to help prevent the flu (click here) and FastMed’s Seasonal Flu Q&A (Click here). FastMed is currently offering discounted flu shots for just $25. Click here for your nearest FastMed Urgent Care location. - Diagnosis: If the flu is suspected, to avoid prolonged illness and spreading it to others, it is extremely important to get care right away. At FastMed we can perform a no needle rapid flu test that takes as little as 10 minutes.
- Treatment: There are convenient treatments at FastMed to reduce the severity of the flu by one to two days and decrease how contagious it is to family, friends and coworkers. Antiviral medication is the most common treatment for the flu, which can also lessen complications, such as pneumonia.
For educational content to help prevent the flu; FastMed’s Seasonal Flu Q&A or to find your nearest FastMed Urgent Care, visit https://www.fastmed.com/flu.
About FastMed Urgent Care:
FastMed Urgent Care is an owner and operator of urgent care facilities with locations throughout North Carolina and Arizona. FastMed focuses on the delivery of non-appointment based medicine to the non-emergency patient market. The urgent care centers are open 365 days a year and are staffed with experienced and licensed physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. FastMed clinics hold The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation in compliance with the Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in ambulatory health care. For more information, please visit www.fastmed.com. FastMed is managed by an affiliated entity of one of the investment funds of the Comvest Group.
About the Comvest Group:
The Comvest Group, with $1.2 billion of assets under management, provides flexible financing solutions to lower middle-market companies through its equity and debt funds, often meeting time-critical and complex funding requirements. The firm includes seasoned, senior level operating executives who partner with managers and owners of companies to operationally improve businesses and create long-term value. Since 2000, Comvest has invested more than $1.5 billion of capital in over 105 public and private companies. For more information, please visit www.comvest.com.
Contact:
Reuel Heyden
Sr. Dir. of Communications | Marketing
FastMed Urgent Care
Phone: 919.550.0821×1016
Email: r.heyden@fastmed.com