Aetna Announces Convenient Option for Members to Receive Flu Shots This Season; -- Company Urges Vaccination for Members in High Risk Groups --.HARTFORD, Conn. -- Aetna (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :AET AET Aetna, Inc. AET After Extra Time AET Actual Evapotranspiration AET Alliance for Environmental Technology AET Alpha-Ethyltryptamine AET Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc. ) today announced a convenient option for members to receive influenza vaccinations this season. Aetna has contracted with Maxim Health Systems to administer flu shots to Aetna members. This broadened access is available to members in addition to the option of receiving the vaccination from their physician. Maxim Health Systems administers the flu shot to people over nine years old at retail facilities and corporations across the nation using their own staff. As with visits to any healthcare provider, members should take their Aetna ID card with them when visiting a Maxim flu clinic. "Our goal is simple: we want to make it as easy as possible for our members, especially those in the high risk groups for influenza, to get a flu shot this year," said William C. Popik, MD, Aetna's chief medical officer. "Getting vaccinated is the most important step a member can take to improve their chances of avoiding the flu. If a member can't make it to their doctor's office for the shot, then I hope they will take advantage of this additional option and receive the vaccine at one of the conveniently located Maxim flu clinics." Members can find the Maxim flu clinic nearest to them by visiting Maxim's website at www.findaflushot.com and entering their zip code zip code System of postal-zone codes (zip stands for “zone improvement plan”) introduced in the U.S. in 1963 to improve mail delivery and exploit electronic reading and sorting capabilities. and the desired travel distance. Influenza is a serious health threat for adults over the age of 50 and children 6 - 23 months of age as well as for anyone 2 years and older with chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease n. Abbr. COPD A chronic lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema, in which breathing becomes slowed or forced. , congestive heart failure congestive heart failure, inability of the heart to expel sufficient blood to keep pace with the metabolic demands of the body. In the healthy individual the heart can tolerate large increases of workload for a considerable length of time. , ischemic heart disease Ischemic heart disease Insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardium). Mentioned in: Myocarditis ischemic heart disease , diabetes and chronic renal failure chronic renal failure Chronic kidney failure Nephrology A slow decline in renal function, which may be 2º to chronic HTN, DM, CHF, SLE, or sickle cell anemia and, if extreme, leads to ESRD, mandating kidney dialysis; an abrupt decline in renal function may be . Children under 9 years old who are in the high risk group should be vaccinated by their physician. According to the Centers for Disease Control, on an annual basis, between 5 and 20 percent of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 are hospitalized as a result of complications, and an average of 36,000 people die from influenza. "Vaccination can save your life. It's really that straightforward," said Charles M. Cutler, M.D., Head of Aetna Quality Management. "Every American included in the risk group, which is clearly defined by the CDC See Control Data, century date change and Back Orifice. CDC - Control Data Corporation , should be vaccinated." The CDC offers comprehensive information regarding influenza, including vaccination guidelines at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/. As one of the nation's leading providers of health care, dental, pharmacy, group life, disability and long-term care long-term care (LTC), n the provision of medical, social, and personal care services on a recurring or continuing basis to persons with chronic physical or mental disorders. benefits, Aetna puts information and helpful resources to work for its approximately 13.4 million medical members, 11.4 million dental members, 8.1 million pharmacy members and 12.6 million group insurance members to help them make better informed decisions about their health care and protect their finances against health-related risks. Aetna provides easy access to cost-effective health care through a nationwide network of more than 633,000 health care professionals, including over 377,000 primary care and specialist doctors and 3,866 hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aetna.com. (Figures as of June 30, 2004) |
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