DAVENPORT, Iowa - Jan. 21, 2015 -- The Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities program has already immunized nearly 48,000 children and adults in the region against seasonal influenza since fall and will try to knock flu out of the park on Jan. 31 at Modern Woodmen Park.
Genesis and the Quad Cities River Bandits, a Flu-Free Quad Cities partner, will provide 500 adults flu vaccinations free from 9-11 a.m. in the suite level of Modern Woodmen Park as part of Community Day.
The free flu shots will be part of a morning of family fun and educational activities.
The River Bandits will be hosting a job fair for all seasonal positions and will be auditioning singers to sing the National Anthem at home games during the season.
Genesis will be offering free blood pressure screenings, physical therapy screenings and information about physical therapy services, jump analysis for kids, and a special throwing clinic for young baseball and softball players.
Genesis physical therapist Karl Stratman works with young pitchers, coaches and parents to help prevent injuries from improper technique. The clinic will start at 10 a.m.
Genesis will provide the free flu vaccinations in response to an active and early flu season. The effectiveness of this year's vaccine has been negatively impacted by the "drifting'' of one strain, but there are three other strains present that the vaccine does help protect against.
"Even if the vaccine is only 23 percent effective (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), that is 23 percent better than zero if you don't receive the vaccine,'' said Lisa Caffery, infection control coordinator, Genesis Health System. "Flu shots are still the best way to prevent getting the flu. If you haven't had a flu shot, it is possible to get more than one strain of flu during flu season."
"The flu shot can also make a difference in the length and severity of your flu if you do get any of the strains.''
Later on Jan. 31, the Quad City Mallards will wear special "throwback'' jerseys and those game jerseys will be auctioned after the game to support Flu-Free Quad Cities.
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