VISTA CORPS re: Swine Flu Vaccinations:

Text of Letter received by a local VISTA Corp. Member Follows:

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Dear AmeriCorps VISTA member,

As the 2009-2010 Flu Season begins I want to provide you with information regarding your VISTA health coverage in relation to flu shots.

When the H1N1 vaccine is available the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may limit this vaccine to those populations most at risk. If you are included in the limited populations, then the H1N1 flu shot will be covered by the AmeriCorps Health Benefits plan.

The regular flu shot is available now and the fastest and easiest way to get a regular flu shot may be though pharmacies, including those at grocery stores that hold free or low-cost clinics.  You can find a clinic near you by visiting the American Lung Association website at http://www.flucliniclocator.org/.  There may be other ways in your community to get the regular flu shot easily and quickly. The regular flu shot will also be covered by the AmeriCorps Health Benefits plan.

If you cannot find a free or low-cost clinic in your community, you may visit a physician in the ChoiceCare network, the PPO network used by the AmeriCorps Health Benefits plan, but the visit must be for a flu shot only. This applies to the regular flu shot and the flu shot for H1N1 when available.

For information on your VISTA health coverage please visit the website at the administrator of the AmeriCorps Health Benefits plan, Seven Corners, at http://americorps.sevencorners.com/.

For up-to-date information on the regular flu and the H1N1 flu, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.  We would like to remind you that if you have a fever or other flu-like symptoms, you should use your sick leave instead of going to work and potentially infecting others.

Thank you for your service in helping your local community fight poverty.

Sincerely,
Paul Davis
Acting Director
VISTA
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