This Thanksgiving Give the Gift of Good Health – Remind Family and Friends to Get a Flu Shot.

COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ — With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, Maxim Health Systems is reminding people to get their annual flu vaccination if they have not done so already. Maxim encourages people to visit its Web site http://www.findaflushot.com/ to find a convenient location for vaccination clinics.

“As we approach the holiday season with families and friends, it is the perfect time of year to remind your loved ones to get their flu vaccination,” said Steve Pellito, National Director of Wellness Services for Maxim Health Systems. “We continue to urge people to get vaccinated and visit http://www.findaflushot.com/ to locate a clinic,” he added.

“Remember that influenza is the strongest of winter viruses,” said Bonnie Fass-Offit, MD, FAAP, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “There is little medicine that helps once you have the illness. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is by getting your annual flu vaccine”.

In support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Influenza Vaccination Week, Maxim will open additional clinics during the week following Thanksgiving, November 27 to December 2. Finding the nearest location is as simple as typing in your zip code on http://www.findaflushot.com/. This will provide the address, date, and times for flu shots at local clinics. The Web site also provides the latest news on influenza and links to other flu resources. For those who prefer to find a convenient location over the phone, Maxim provides a toll free number at 877-962-9358.

Each year as many as 65 million Americans fall victim to influenza and flu-related complications, such as pneumonia, resulting in 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths per year. The CDC has determined that vaccinations are the single most effective way to prevent flu and strongly encourages high-risk individuals to get vaccinated. This includes:

   — Anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill or spreading      influenza to others   — All persons over 50 years old   — Children and adolescents who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy   — Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season   — Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma),      cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological,      or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)   — Adults and children who have a weakened immune system (due to HIV/AIDS,      long term treatment with drugs such as steroids, and/or cancer      treatments)   — Adults and children who have certain muscle or nerve disorders      (e.g. cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders,      or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory      function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase      the risk for aspiration   — Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities   — Anyone who lives or cares for people at high risk for influenza-related      complications   — Healthcare providers   — Household contacts and caregivers of children from birth to 5 years of      age and adults age 50 and older   — All children aged 6-59 months   

Maxim provides flu shots to children aged 9 and older unless restricted by a state regulation or law. By calling the clinic site ahead of time (information also provided on the Maxim Web site), parents can verify that their children can receive the vaccine. For children under 9 years of age, parents should contact their pediatrician. Maxim accepts Medicare Part B with no co-pay required, when Medicare Part B is the primary insurance.

About Maxim Health Systems

Maxim Health Systems is a division of Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. Established in 1996, Maxim Health Systems offers a full line of comprehensive wellness services to corporate and retail clients. We provide a variety of services including immunizations, health screenings, and health fairs. In 2006, our flu immunization program alone was responsible for vaccinating more than 3.7 million people. Together with Maxim Healthcare Services, we have branch locations in most metropolitan areas across the nation. For more information contact us at: http://www.findaflushot.com/contact.php.

Maxim Health Systems

CONTACT: Jill Totenberg, +1-212-994-7363, jtotenberg@totenberggroup.com;or Candice Warltier, +1-312-587-3105, +1-773-991-1210,Cwarltier@sbcglobal.net, both for Maxim Health Systems

Web site: http://www.maximhealthcare.com/http://www.findaflushot.com/