For Immediate Release
November 06, 2002

Contact:
Anne Drouin
(207) 774-5801
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com
Web Site: http://www.martinspoint.org

PORTLAND, Maine - Martin's Point Health Care will offer a walk-in flu shot clinic the week of November 18 in Portland for its patients and the general public. The shots will be available from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, through Friday, Nov. 22, at the Martin's Point Health Education Center at 331 Veranda St.

In addition, Martin's Point patients may schedule a flu shot by appointment at the three other Martin's Point locations in Brunswick (725-8079) and Windham, Maine, (892-0062) and in Portsmouth, N.H. (603-431-5154)

There is no up-front cost for the flu shots for Martin's Point patients who have health insurance or those with Medicare coverage. The fee for all others and for non-Martin's Point patients is $26. Payment may be made with cash or by check or credit card. For more information, call 774-5801 in Portland.

"The best time to get a flu vaccine is between October and December to ensure protection throughout the traditional flu season," said Dr. John Vogt, Practice Medical Director at Martin's Point. "And people should keep in mind that a shot is needed every year because the viruses that cause influenza often change, and the vaccine is updated accordingly."

Dr. Vogt stressed that it is particularly important for people in the following high-risk groups to be vaccinated each year:

- Persons age 65 years or older.
- Persons 50 years of age and above in a high-risk group.
- Adults and children with chronic health problems, including asthma or other ongoing lung problems, as well as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and HIV/AIDS.
- Adults or children taking medical treatment (such as chemotherapy) that can lower the immune system.
- Children and teen-agers between 6 months and 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy have a risk of getting Reye syndrome if they get the flu.
- Women who will be at least three months pregnant during the flu season.

Established in 1981, Martin's Point is a not-for-profit health care provider with facilities in Portland, Brunswick and Windham, Maine, and in Portsmouth, N.H. Martin's Point has a staff of more than 300 health care professionals and serves 54,000 patients - including military retirees and dependents of active military personnel - under all major health plans.

The Martin's Point Health Education Center offers a variety of resource materials such as publications and videos, as well as classes that focus on a host of topics, ranging from weight management and smoking cessation to disease management.

Martin's Point serves patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, and mammography, as well as other fields. For additional information, visit online at www.martinspoint.org.

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