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The LaSalle Medical Associates Healthcare team gave more than 10,000 flu vaccines last year. LaSalle is getting ready for this years flu season. Left to right: Dr. Joseph V. Selvarj, Dr. Albert Arteaga, Dr. Cheryl Emoto, and Dr. Felix A. Albano.
The new flu season starts September 1, 2012 with flu vaccines available at all LaSalle clinics. LaSalle has the Fluzone High Dose vaccine for seniors, the intradermal flu vaccine is a shot that is injected into the skin instead of the muscle, and nasal flu mists for children and adults.

(San Bernardino, Calif.) More than ten thousand people throughout the Inland Empire received flu vaccinations this past year, thanks to the efforts of the staff at LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.

The new flu season starts September 1, 2012 with flu vaccines available at all LaSalle clinics.  The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus and an influenza B virus.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Influenza, otherwise known as the flu, occurs annually from October through May and is spread by coughing, sneezing or a runny nose.  Getting vaccinated can help avoid the flu or lessen its symptoms, which include: fever/chills, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, headache and a runny or stuffy nose.

Last year Dr. Albert Arteaga, president and founder of LaSalle Medical Associates, was selected as California’s first-ever CDC Childhood Immunization Champion for LaSalle’s work in immunizations.  He was one of only  39 doctors in the United States receiving the prestigious honor.

Advocating precaution to protect yourself and those around you from the flu, LaSalle provided a total of 10,676 flu vaccines this season. Operating a total of four clinics in Fontana, Hesperia and San Bernardino, this annual effort goes a long way in making a difference in curbing the spread of the flu for everyone.

“I cannot stress how important it is to get your annual flu vaccine,” said Dr. Albert A. Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates. “The benefits of flu vaccines have been proven over and over. It is the best tool we have in preventing the spread of the virus.”

The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months or older. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of influenza complications, including: pregnant women, older adults and young children. New flu vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting flu viruses.

“The seasonal flu vaccine are available in September 1, before the start of flu season,” said Dr. Arteaga. “Getting vaccinated now is a great way to avoid the flu. If you do get the flu, to limit the spreading of the virus, anyone with symptoms should stay home from school and work until they are well, and limit contact with others. They also should contact a doctor or clinic, especially if they are worried about the symptoms.”

LaSalle has the High Dose flu vaccine for seniors, the intradermal flu vaccine is a shot that is injected into the skin instead of the muscle, and nasal flu mists for children and adults.

For more information about the seasonal influenza vaccine, or to make an appointment, call LaSalle’s Pediatric clinics in Fontana at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in (909) 823-4454 and in San Bernardino at 1505 West 17th St. (909) 887-6494.  LaSalle’s family clinics are located: in San Bernardino at 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. (909) 884-9091 and in Hesperia at 16455 Main St. (760) 947-2161.

For more information about this season’s vaccine selection, from the CDC visit Vaccine Virus Selection for the 2012-2013 Influenza Season.

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About LaSalle Medical Associates

LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults, and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and they also accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). LaSalle’s clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia and 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino.

LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality care to more than 245,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Tulare Counties.

LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Arrowhead Orthopedics, Arther Medical Group, Rancho Medical Group, Rancho Paseo Medical Group, Alessandro Medical Group Banning Medical Group, and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redland Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, Parkview Community Hospital.

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The flu vaccine is your best defense for preventing the flu. Dr. Bruce Gellin, Director of the National Vaccine Program Office, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, talks about the importance of getting the flu vaccine and how a vaccine is produced.