The number of doctors on the staff at Sea Mar Community Health Clinic has gone from four to five, and that means more weekend hours and more access to care, said Sea Mar Director Jeremy Vargas last week.
Jasleen Kaur, who recently finished her residency in Chicago with a specialty in family medicine, came to Sea Mar in September.
It's part of Sea Mar's plan to prepare to meet the needs of the community in advance of the implementation of health care reform.
"This is part of the plan to be able to be the provider of choice for the community," he said.
Sea Mar's core mission is to provide affordable care to all members of the community who need it, and that includes providing flu shots, Vargas said.
"We have a stockpile of flu vaccine," he said. "As a matter of fact, as part of our emergency preparedness plan, we have a plan for what would happen in case of a pandemic flu. We had a staff meeting based solely on that topic yesterday."
Kaur, who lived in Redmond prior to going to her residency, said that, even in the absence of a significant flu outbreak, flu shots are very important, especially for people at higher risk.
"Kids, asthmatics, people who are pregnant, elderly; we want everyone to get a flu vaccine," she said.
Flu shots are $25 for adults and $15.60 for kids. The clinic will adjust prices on a sliding scale for families that can't afford the fees.
To keep down the spread of flu, practice good germ-killing techniques, said Kaur.
"Wash your hands a lot; try to sanitize your surfaces as much as possible; stay away from sick people and if you are sick, use a mask so you aren't infecting other people," she said.
If you do get sick, avoid infecting others and take care of yourself, she added.
"Stay away from people who are healthy; drink lots of fluids; keep your fever down and see your doctor as soon as possible," she said. "There is a window period where some people can get benefit from treatment."
Sea Mar Community Health Clinic is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. To make an appointment, call (360) 282-3885.
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