Nation's Largest Urgent Care Provider Gives People Opportunity to Become an In[FLU]encer
BIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2022 / American Family Care (AFC), the nation's leading provider of accessible primary care, urgent care, and occupational medicine, launches its week-long National Flu Prevention Week campaign starting October 8 with a warning and a new, interactive way for people to spread the word, not the flu.
After a two-year hiatus, health experts at AFC predict the 2022-23 flu season will be more severe and start sooner - which is why they stress the importance of early flu vaccinations. As always, flu vaccines are best administered in an appropriate clinic setting like American Family Care. Medical providers at AFC locations across the country are urging all patients to get flu shots no later than October 31.
"Australia, which experiences its flu season first, acts as an early warning system for us in the States - and it's been a doozy Down Under," says Dr. Bruce Irwin, Founder and CEO of AFC, a national healthcare network with nearly 300 locations. "Australia had its worst flu season in five years, with cases being three times higher than average. If we can convince more Americans to get a flu vaccine by the end of October, we have a chance to change the course of the flu."
In both 2020 and 2021, flu cases were much lower than in typical years due to mask mandates, stay-at-home measures, and social distancing brought on during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now with many restrictions lifted across the country, this is the perfect set-up for increased transmission of influenza.
Another concern? Vaccine fatigue. Interest in inoculations may drop due to the two-year push for the COVID-19 vaccine and its various boosters.
FLU FAST FACTS
- It's a matter of life or death. A flu shot, recommended for anyone 6 months or older, not only protects you from getting the flu, it prevents you from dying of flu-related illnesses.
- Flu is a fast spreader. Most experts think flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when someone with flu coughs, sneezes, or talks. They can infect you from six feet away.
- Young, pregnant, and seniors may fall under "high-risk." Children under the age of 6, pregnant women, and adults 65 or older are at high risk for serious flu complications, like inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissues, or multi-organ failure.
- Symptoms not required for positive cases. People can carry the flu virus and risk exposing others when they show few symptoms.
Be an IN[FLU]ENCER!
During AFC's National Flu Prevention Week, patients who take a stand against the flu and get a shot at an AFC clinic between October 8 and October 15 will be designated as an IN[FLU]ENCER.
Patients can then post pictures of themselves wearing an IN[FLU]ENCER badge and post it with the hashtag "fluinfluencer" on social media to spread the word about the importance of early flu shots. AFC will repost these IN[FLU]ENCER photos to further increase the significance and reach of this important health message.
To see an example, click here or visit the AFC Facebook and Instagram pages.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Nancy Bostrom [email protected] 919-459-8163
Sue Yannello [email protected] 919-459-8162
About American Family Care:
Founded by Dr. Bruce Irwin with a single location in 1982, American Family Care has pioneered the concept of convenient, patient-centric healthcare. Today, with nearly 300 clinics and 1500 in-network physicians caring for nearly 6 million patients a year, AFC is the nation's leading provider of accessible primary care, urgent care, and occupational medicine. Ranked by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S., AFC's stated mission is to provide the best healthcare possible, in a kind and caring environment, while respecting the rights of all patients, in an economical manner, at times and locations convenient to the patient. For more information, visit AmericanFamilyCare.com
SOURCE: American Family Care