Officials with the Atlantic Medical Center report the AMC is offering influenza vaccines Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 11:00 am and 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm, and Saturdays 8:30 – 11:00 am.   No appointment is needed.  It takes about two weeks for influenza vaccine to provide full protection.  Officials say with the holidays coming up, it’s a good idea to get an influenza vaccine by early November to provide protection during the holiday gatherings with larger groups, where influenza is easily spread.

In order to prevent getting the flu,  experts suggest you get the vaccine, and  practice good hand washing.  Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but also those around you who may be too young (under 6 months) or have a medical condition that prevents them from being vaccinated.

There are four strains, or types, of the flu that typically hit the midwest during flu season —  two types of Influenza A and two types of Influenza B.  The flu vaccine that has been available in the years past will still be available this year. This year there is also a vaccine that has all four strains (types) of the flu virus in it (two A strains and two B strains), to provide even greater protection against influenza. Atlantic Medical Center will have both types of vaccine available.

Patients can also receive Pneumonia, Tetanus with whooping cough (Tdap), and Shingles vaccines when they come in for an influenza vaccine. For more information, contact the Atlantic Medical Center Immunization Nurses at 712-243-2850.