LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – With cold and flu season right around the corner, now is the time to prepare yourself and your family. Baptist Health Urgent Care now has the flu shot available and it is covered by most insurance plans at no cost to the patient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu shot. Here are four of the top reasons why you and your family should get one this year:
- The odds are in your favor. Getting vaccinated decreases your chances of getting the flu by more than half.
- Even if you do catch the flu, a vaccination can make symptoms milder.
- Last year’s flu shot doesn’t count. The virus from last year might not be the same as this year’s vaccination. That’s why an annual vaccination is necessary.
- You’ll protect others, too. By getting vaccinated, you’ll slow the spread of the flu virus to those around you.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. The flu can cause mild to severe illness. Flu spreads every year; however, the timing, severity and length of the season varies from year to year. While the peak for influenza typically hits late December through March, the season can begin as early as October and last through May. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available.
Baptist Health Urgent Care centers in Benton, Bryant, Cabot, Fort Smith, Jacksonville, Little Rock and North Little Rock have received their supply of vaccines for the A (H3N2), A(H1N1) and influenza B viruses. Our centers have the Fluzone Quadrivalent for ages 6 months to 64 years of age and Fluzone High-Dose for adults 65 and up. Most insurance plans cover the flu shot at no cost, however, if you don’t have insurance, the flu shot is only $30.
Walk-ins are welcome at Baptist Health Urgent Care or for added convenience, patients can schedule a same day or next day appointment online with Hold My Spot. Most insurance plans, TRICARE and VA, Medicare and Medicaid, as well as cash and credit cards, are accepted.
For more information about the flu or to find a Baptist Health Urgent Care center near you, visit UrgentCareBaptistHealth.com.
About Baptist Health Urgent Care
Baptist Health Urgent Care, with seven locations in central Arkansas, is an affiliate of Urgent Team, one of the largest independent operators of urgent and family care centers in the Southeast. The Urgent Team Family of Centers provides quality and affordable family healthcare at 56 locations under five brands: Baptist Health Urgent Care, Sherwood Urgent Care and Washington Regional Urgent Care (throughout Arkansas); Urgent Team (throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee); Physicians Care (throughout Tennessee). Baptist Health Urgent Care’s convenient, walk-in centers provide a range of healthcare services including treatments for injuries and illnesses, occupational health and wellness care. Baptist Health Urgent Care offers 24/7 online scheduling with Hold My Spot. Urgent Team’s company headquarters are located in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit UrgentCareBaptistHealth.com.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 200 points of access that include 11 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community and over 100 primary and specialty care clinics in Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. The system additionally offers a college with studies in nursing and allied health; a graduate residency program; and access to virtual care anytime, anywhere. Baptist Health, as the largest not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, provides care to patients wherever they are through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.