Martin's Point Health Care Announces Flu Shot Clinic Schedule

Martin's Point Health Care will offer flu shots at its four facilities in October and November for Martin's Point Health Care patients and the general public. Walk-in clinics have been scheduled at the Portland and Windham, Maine, health care facilities starting later this month, and by appointment at the health care facilities in Brunswick, Maine and Newington, N.H.

Due to a nationwide shortage of the vaccine this fall, Martin's Point is preparing for and anticipating a high demand for the vaccine that may result in possible delays or parking issues. "We are doing all we can to ensure it is organized and that all our patients are well served," said Candice LaBrecque, practice administrator of Martin's Point.

There will be no up front cost to Martin's Point patients with health insurance, as Martin's Point will be billing those health plans directly. Martin's Point will also bill directly for all Medicare patients. All others and non-Martin's Point patients are asked to pay $12. Martin's Point Health Care accepts checks, cash and credit cards. The flu vaccine is NOT recommended by the CDC for children under the age of 10. If you have any questions or concerns, please call your pediatrician.

Portland
The walk-in flu clinic will be held on the second floor of the Martin's Point Health Education Center at 331 Veranda Street in Portland from Monday, October 23 to Friday, October 27 from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Newington, NH
Newington, NH clinics will be offered starting Tuesday, Oct. 3 to November 7 at the Newington health care center located at the Newington Park Building No. 1, Suite 101, 2054 Woodbury Avenue, in Newington. To schedule an appointment, persons may call 1-800-222-5154.

Brunswick
In Brunswick, the flu clinic will be offered from November 7 to November 22, also by appointment. Persons are asked to call 1-800-479-8079 for an appointment. The Brunswick facility is located at Cook's Corner at the corner of Farley and Old Bath Roads.

Windham
In Windham, the flu clinic will be held on the following dates and times: October 26, from 5 to 7 p.m.; October 28 from 9 a.m. to noon; November 2, from 5 to 7 p.m.; and November 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. Appointments can also be scheduled by calling the Windham facility, located at 739 Roosevelt Trail, Route 302, at 1-800-654-0062.

"The best time to get a flu vaccine is between October and December," said Dr. Jan Wnek, medical director at Martin's Point. "A shot is needed every year because the viruses that cause influenza often change. The influenza vaccine is updated each year by replacing at least one of the three vaccine viruses with a newer one. This keeps the vaccine effective. It is particularly important that people in high-risk groups are vaccinated each year. It is also recommended that children under the age of 10 not receive a flu shot. If you have questions about your child getting a shot, you should check with your pediatrician."

Established in 1981, Martin's Point is now Maine's largest health care practice, employing 290 healthcare professionals who serve more than 44,000 patients at clinics in Portland, Windham and Brunswick, Maine and Newington, N.H. in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, radiology, cardiology, mammography and other fields. Martin's Point has attracted widespread attention for its high-tech initiatives, including a robot to assist in dispensing prescriptions, and Patients Personal Points, a free, Internet-based service that allows patients to use their computers to communicate by a secure server with their doctors to schedule appointments, ask advice, and obtain prescription refills. Patients Personal Points recently won a national technology award from the Healthcare Innovations in Technology Systems (HITS) "Partnership in Technology" national awards program.

Headquartered in Portland at 331 Veranda St., Martin's Point accepts all major health plans and insurance, including but not limited to HealthSource, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Harvard Community Health Plan, Maine Partners, Champus, Tricare, Aetna, Cigna and NYLCare Plans. For more information about Martin's Point Health Care, its physicians, or program offerings, visit the Martin's Point website at www.martinspoint.org.

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