HEALTHY Connections - August/September 2019

Volume 1, Edition 6

M i l l e n n i u m P h y s i c i a n G r o u p ’s

HEALTHYConnections ConnectingYou to a Healthier Life

August/September 2019 • National Immunization Awareness Month

In this edition: Pneumonia Vaccine Recommendation Changes Coming The Big Two: The Flu, Pneumonia and Why Vaccinate

Flu Shot Fact and Fiction Flu Vaccine Delay – Good Reason to Consult with Your Primary Care Provider Sports & Back-to-School Physicals

Your Connection to a Healthier Life For more information about Millennium Physician Group, visit www.MillenniumPhysician.com or call (844) CALL-MPG.

Hurricane Healthy – A Hurricane Checklist for Millennium Patients

Welcome to Millennium’s Healthy Connections!

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Read on to learn more about everything you need to stay healthy this upcoming flu season!

PNEUMONIA VACCINES

New Recommendation on the Pneumonia Vaccine Forthcoming for Patients 65+

By Millennium Editorial Staff

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is drafting a NEW recommendation regarding the selection of pneumococcal vaccine (commonly called the pneumonia vaccine) for adults 65 and older, and it really highlights the importance of your relationship with your primary-care provider.

CDC says to consult with your primary-care provider: The CDC tells Millennium Physician Group its advisory committee on immunization voted this past June to modify its current pneumonia vaccine schedule, which is a combination of two vaccines administered one year apart – PCV13 (or Prevnar 13®), then PPSV23 (or Pneumovax®).

The committee, instead, determined the decision whether to administer PCV13 should be made between you and your primary-care provider. This prospective change, again, affects adults 65 years and older who do not have an immunocompromising condition, such as cerebrospinal fluid leaks, or cochlear implants.

The Bottomline: The CDC continues to recommend PPSV23 for all adults 65 years and older, and now it will most likely be recommended as the “first choice” pneumonia vaccine. Meanwhile, you should consult with your primary-care provider to determine whether the PCV13 vaccine is right for you.

This anticipated change is expected to be officially announced sometime this fall.

No change in the Pneumococcal (pneumonia vaccine) recommendation for children No changes are expected in the current recommendations for PCV13 for children (four-dose series at 2, 4, 6, and 12 through 15 months) nor for some adults 19 through 64 years of age with conditions that put them at increased risk for pneumococcal disease.

DID YOU KNOW? It is safe to receive the

pneumonia vaccine and the influenza vaccine at the same time.

The Big Two: The Flu, Pneumonia and Why Vaccinate Influenza Virus

Pneumococcus Bacteria

What is it?

Seasonal respiratory illness caused by varying strains of the influenza virus

Most commonly causes infection of the lungs but can also cause infection of the blood or other organs

Symptoms?

• • • • • • • • • • •

• •

Why Vaccinate?

The flu shot prevents/lessons severity of the flu and the potential for lung or sinus infection.

The pneumonia vaccine can prevent pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, and some ear infections.

Who Should Get It?

EVERYONE over 6 months of age, particularly children, pregnant woman, adults over 65, and those with chronic conditions

EVERYONE 65 and older, or those with respiratory conditions, or compromised immunity *Children under 2, as recommended by the CDC

When?

Annually before flu season starts in October

Can be one, or a series of two vaccine, depending on history and risk factors *For Children under 2, a series of 4 doses

Where?

At your primary-care office, so your provider can recommend the proper vaccine strain and document your record

At your primary-care office, so your provider can recommend the proper vaccine sequence and document your record

Abrupt onset of symptoms Fever lasting 3-4 days Headache Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Body aches Chills Fatigue Sometimes diarrhea and Vomiting *It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever

Can be a result of the flu (influenza) Flu symptoms, plus: • Colored mucus • Unable to catch breath • Low appetite • Chest pain

*As always, the best person to talk about vaccinations with is your primary-care provider. He or she has the ability to make the most appropriate recommendations based on your medical history

fact or fiction? the truth about the flu fiction:

facts:

It’s time to start thinking about the flu shot.

Even though it’s still sweltering outside, it won’t be too long before this contagious respiratory infection starts to spread. Flu season generally begins in October and can linger through May. Every year, up to 20 percent of people in the U.S. can get sick; and although most recover, the flu can potentially lead to pneumonia, worsening of chronic health conditions, hospitalization or disability. The flu can even be fatal for older or immune-compromised adults.

At the very least, the flu can cause you to miss several days to a week of work or other activities, along with potentially getting your loved ones sick in the process.

The virus spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze or talk.

And the germs can be transferred to an otherwise healthy person when someone touches something that has the flu virus on it and then touches his or her own mouth or nose. The flu vaccine can prevent you from getting the flu, make the flu less severe if you do get it, and keep you from spreading it.

“I NEVER GET SICK;

I DON’T NEED THE FLU SHOT.”

Anyone can get the flu. Even healthy people can get sick and spread its germs. To avoid the flu, the CDC recommends yearly vaccines for EVERYONE over the age of 6 months. You might want to opt for a flu shot to keep not only yourself, but also your family from getting sick. As we know, the flu can be more severe in children and older adults. You probably don’t want to be the reason your family gets sick, so speak to your primary-care provider to determine which flu vaccine is right for you.

fiction:

“I GOT THE FLU SHOT LAST YEAR; I CAN WAIT.”

You should get the flu vaccine EVERY YEAR. Because the dominant strains of flu virus often change season to season, each year’s vaccine is optimized to best protect against the strains that are anticipated to circulate that season. It is best to have the vaccine before the virus appears in the community.

Because it’s difficult to predict the best time, it’s recommended to get the flu shot as soon as it’s available. Additionally, it takes two weeks for the vaccine to start protecting you.

By Millennium ACO Medical Director Dr. William Hayes

fiction:

“THE FLU SHOT

MAKES YOU SICK”

The flu vaccine is not a live virus, and it cannot give you the flu. The side effects are usually mild and only last one to two days after the vaccination. Flu season is also cold season; it’s generally just a coincidence if you get sick after getting the flu shot.

In short, the flu is an illness that could at the very least be a major inconvenience to your day-to-day life and at most lead to serious health consequences, so why not take a step to avoid getting sick and get vaccinated with your healthcare provider?

Recipe Vegetable

Flu Vaccine Delay

and Stars Soup

Good Reason to Consult with Your Primary Care Provider

By Millennium Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alejandro Perez-Trepichio

The 2019-2020 flu vaccine is anticipated to arrive three to four weeks later than its usual delivery date in early August. This delay is no cause for alarm, nor should it result in a vaccine shortage.

The delay should, however, drive home the importance of working with your primary-care provider when it comes optimizing your health.

Millennium is working closely with vaccine manufacturers and distributors, and we have been assured the doses we ordered last winter should arrive by late August or early September – well before the start of flu season.

A late outbreak of the flu earlier this year caused the delay, prompting the World

Health Organization and the Food and Drug Administration to reformulate the combination of flu strains in this year’s vaccine to better reflect the circulating virus types.

This delay should produce a more effective vaccine and highlights why you should get vaccinated with your primary-care provider.

Millennium wants you to have the most effective flu shot available, and this is something you might not get elsewhere.

Additionally, your primary-care provider knows you and takes the opportunity to give you personalized care very seriously. This includes recommending the best type of dose to fit your medical history and needs and documenting the vaccine type used in your medical record.

Frozen vegetables and tiny pasta stars cooked in a flavorful tomato-based broth is inexpensive, delicious and healthier than canned soup.

Ingredients ❑ 1½ cups tomato juice ❑ 2 cups low-sodium broth (vegetable or chicken) ❑ ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning ❑ 1 large garlic cloves, finely minced ❑ 2 cups frozen vegetable blend (carrots, peas, green beans) ❑ 6 ounces stellini star-shaped pasta ❑ 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Direction 1. Bring tomato juice, broth, Italian seasonings and garlic clove to a boil.

2. Add in the frozen vegetables and stellini pasta. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes until pasta is cooked and soup has thickened slightly.

3. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and serve.

Serving size = 1¼ cup, Serves 4

Download the Millennium Physician Group App!

Back-to-School & Sports Physicals

It’s now easier than ever to access all things Millennium! Now you can download the Millennium Physician Group app to view wait times at our Walk-in Medical Center,s make a lab appointment, and log-in to your patient portal.

Now available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Scan the QR code to download the app now!

Online Lab Appointments Why wait when you can book a lab appointment online? Visit https://millenniumphysician.com/ lab-appointments/ to book your next lab appointment!

CALL US FIRST

Feeling ill and not sure what kind of care you need? Millennium Physician Group is here to care for you when you need it the most!

CALL US TODAY! (844) CALL-MPG

At Millennium Physician Group, we know life is busy. That’s why we offer school and sports physicals with no appointment necessary. Simply visit our Walk-in Medical Centers, conveniently open weekends and evenings to better meet your schedule.

With locations across Southwest Florida, we have a Walk-in Center that’s open near you. Call before you visit to ensure that our providers on staff are available to children. We offer cash prices at most centers for $35 for school or sports and $50 for combined school and sports physicals.

Visit our website at www.MillenniumPhysician.com, to view wait times and see the list of locations.

CALL US FIRST 24/7

That’s right! Even at 11:00 p.m. at night – if you need care, call your provider’s phone number to get in touch with your care team to coordinate the best care for your healthcare needs.

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS

Our care teams will do everything they can to get you in for a same day appointment at your provider’s office or a nearby location. We can see you today!

WALK-IN MEDICAL CENTERS Did you know that Millennium has eight convenient Walk-in Medical Centers with after-hour and weekend access? We can get you directions to the closest Walk-in location near you.

Hurricane Healthy A Hurricane Checklist for Millennium Patients Medications: Make sure you have enough medication as it might take several weeks for things to get back to normal after a storm.

Medical Records: Keep your medical records updated, something Millennium patients can do through our Patient Portal, along with ordering prescription refills.

Oxygen: Make prior arrangements for backup power or locate a special-needs shelter if you are oxygen dependent.

Website: Check our website at millenniumphysician.com or the MPG smartphone app for updates.

Call Us First: Whether you stay home for a hurricane or leave the area, call us first for assistance with medical issues at (844) CALL-MPG.

Your Connection to a Healthier Life

Thank you for reading! To learn more about

Millennium Physician Group visit www.MillenniumPhysician.com or call (844) CALL-MPG to schedule an appointment today!

Now Check-in Online from the Comfort of Your Home Millennium is proud to offer patients an easier way to check-in rather than at the medical office. You can now check-in at the privacy of your home! That’s right. Update your demographics, pay your bill, upload a photo of your driver’s license and insurance card before you ever leave for your appointment.

Just let the front desk know when you arrive that you already checked in online.

Save time and protect your privacy by updating your demographics before you arrive at the office. If you don’t have a chance to check-in before you get to the office, you can easily do so via your phone, or our convenient tablets located in the lobby.

We are happy to provide our patients new solutions to make your office visit an exceptional patient experience. Look for online check-in coming to an office near you as we currently have rolled out this feature to Lee County patients.