Collierville, Tenn., Jan. 28, 2005 - Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville will offer flu shots to the community on February 3 from 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. in the classrooms located off the main lobby. The shots are $10 each, and participants are asked to bring cash to pay for their shot.

The goal of the event is to raise awareness about the importance of getting a yearly flu shot. Educational information about the flu and flu-related illnesses will be available.

“With this year’s flu vaccine shortage, it is more important than ever to protect our community by distributing the vaccine to as many people in high-risk groups as possible,” said Glenn Baker, administrator and CEO at Baptist Collierville.

In light of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent relaxation of the guidelines, shots will now be available at this event to those 18 and older.

According to the CDC, an estimated 114,000 Americans require hospital treatment, and 36,000 die each year from the flu or flu-related complications. When there is a particularly virulent strain of the flu circulating, as many as 70,000 Americans could die from flu or flu-related complications.

Groups that should not receive the flu vaccine include women in their first trimester of pregnancy and anyone who is sick with a fever. In addition, those with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome or those with an egg or mercury allergy should not receive the shot.

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville opened its doors in May of 1999. With all the amenities of home, this full-service hospital sits on a 75-acre park-like campus and features extra-large patient rooms and a walking trail. Medical services include a full-service emergency room; inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation; inpatient and outpatient surgery; ICU; inpatient and outpatient diagnostics; the Baptist Sleep Disorders Center; and 48 acute care beds.

For more information about Baptist Collierville’s flu event, please call (901) 861-9410. For more information about the flu, visit baptistonline.org.

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