Clayton, NC – December 21, 2012
As the largest and fastest-growing urgent care group in North Carolina, FastMed Urgent Care is expecting a possible shortage of flu vaccine as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting North Carolina as one of eight states experiencing a widespread outbreak of flu cases this year.
There is a general shortage of this year’s flu vaccine for children, ages 6 months to 18 years of age, and FastMed is urging patients and families it serves in neighborhoods throughout its 29 North Carolina clinic locations to get the flu vaccine now.
The CDC recently released the following alert:
“Significant increases in flu activity in the U.S. in the last three weeks indicate that an early flu season is underway. CDC urges you to get a flu vaccine now if you have not done so already this season. Vaccination is especially important for children, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes and other long-term conditions who are at high risk from flu complications.”
The Center of Disease Control reported that between 1976 and 2007, up to 49,000 people have died from influenza. The majority of deaths in a typical flu season are with people 65 years of age or older.
In an unpredictable flu season, prevention is key. In addition to getting the flu shot, here are some basics you should know:
– Wash your hands frequently. This will help you avoid spreading germs.
– Cover your nose and mouth and sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
– Avoid touching your nose and mouth.
– Stay home if you have flu like symptoms to avoid spreading the disease.
– If you are prescribed antiviral drugs, take them. They can treat your illness before you spread it or become worse.
Walk into your local FastMed for a quick and easy flu vaccine, which is the best way to have a happy and healthy holiday season and good start to the new year.
If you start to exhibit flu like symptoms and think you have the flu, visit one of FastMed Urgent Care’s 29 convenient urgent care facilities open 7 days a week for an evaluation and treatment.
For more information about flu season this year, visit cdc.gov/flu or fastmed.com.
About FastMed Urgent Care:
FastMed Urgent Care is a North Carolina-based 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. 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 | Dir. Of Community Relations
FastMed Urgent Care
Phone: 919.550.0821×1016
Email: r.heyden@fastmed.com