It Takes More than a Flu Shot To Stay Healthy

Citizens can choose to access the flu shot in many ways.
Some health departments offer them for free at designated dates and times, many area pharmacies also offer flu shots at any time during business hours, (though you’ll usually pay $20- $30 for the convenience), and most Primary Care Providers also offer patients the flu shot in their office.
While getting the seasonal flu shot should be top priority in the fall no matter where you get it (especially for senior citizens, pregnant women and caretakers of children under 6 months old and the elderly), the CompleteCare Health Network is hoping that people use the hard-to-miss annual reminders for the flu shot to also remember to schedule an annual wellness exam.
A wellness exam is a physical check-up which is aimed at preventing health problems in an apparently healthy person. In the wellness exam, the health provider may do things like check your blood pressure and pulse, listen to your lungs with a stethoscope, use instruments to look inside your ears and nose, draw blood to check your cholesterol, and ask about any concerns you may have.
“Too many people are ignoring their need for preventive care like cancer screenings and blood pressure checks,” said Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, Chief Medical Officer at CompleteCare. “If you are seeing a Primary Care Provider every year then it is much more likely that they will find a disease while it is still manageable and often curable.”
For those in tight financial situations or without health insurance, this preventive care often falls to the wayside and patients will wait until they have symptoms to seek care. Even many with insurance don’t find the time or just forget to schedule a once a year visit with their Doctor. That’s why CompleteCare is encouraging the public to get a wellness exam at the same time as their annual flu shot by giving the flu shot to patients for free with a physical exam.
CompleteCare offers services to patients with or without insurance. For those without insurance, CompleteCare ensures that care is affordable for the entire family by using a sliding scale based on family size and income to determine a co-pay that makes sense. CompleteCare patients who have already had a wellness exam within the year can still get a flu shot without cost.
To schedule an appointment, or for details call 856-451-4700 or 609-465-0258 or online at www.completecarenj.org.
CompleteCare Health Network is a nationally accredited health system that provides primary medical, dental and behavioral health services to nearly 50,000 people annually.
Now operating 18 locations throughout Cumberland, Gloucester and Cape May Counties, CompleteCare is dedicated to serving its patients with friendly, convenient and affordable care. For more information visit www.completecarenj.org or call 856-451-4700 to make an appointment.