Protect Yourself and Your Family; Cold and Flu Season is Here

Our doctors are available for press interviews about the current flu season and when to visit a Walk-In health center versus the Emergency Room

Flier - Cold and Flu Walk-In Health Centers

CENTRAL COAST, CA – December 3, 2019 – Cold and Flu season is here and Dignity Health Central Coast hospitals; Arroyo Grande Community Hospital (AGCH), French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC), Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC), and our nearly 40 Pacific Central Coast Health Centers want to proactively inform your audience of protective measures to reduce chances of contracting the flu and providing tips for treatment. 

The first priority is to get a flu shot. Influenza can be devastating for those at higher risk like people 65 and older, pregnant women, and children younger than five. Cases have been confirmed in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, and while flu season is off to a slow start according to the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department, it is expected to peak in early 2020. Prevention is still the best weapon to combat the virus.

“While this health issue is something we are faced with annually, it is imperative to remember the importance of protecting yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated,” Lisa Vasak, MD, Med Plus Urgent Care Center in Atascadero. “We want to educate community members about flu symptoms and the very serious potential health risks it can cause, as well as when to visit a Walk-In health center versus an emergency room.”  

Walk-In health centers are equipped to offer preventative flu shots, as well as diagnose and treat cold and flu symptoms, minor aches and pains. Those who do not have an established primary care doctor should visit a Walk-In location rather than an Emergency room however, if a person is experiencing a shortness of breath with a high fever, and requires more critical and timely treatment, it’s advised to visit the nearest emergency room. 

Dignity Health has five convenient walk-in urgent care locations for your urgent medical needs. 

Dignity Health encourages those that are suffering from moderate flu related symptoms to visit one of these sites rather than the local emergency room for the best care.  Each site listed below is open Mon-Fri, 8a-6p and Saturdays, 9a-3p.

Med Plus Atascadero - 5920 W. Mall, Atascadero - (805) 461-2131
Med Plus Pismo Beach - 877 Oak Park Blvd., Pismo Beach - (805) 474-8450
Med Plus Central Coast - 2271 South Depot St., Santa Maria - (805) 922-0561
Med Plus Orcutt - 1102 Clark Ave. Suite A, Santa Maria - (805) 332-8185
Walk-In & Family Care - 217 W. Central Ave. Suite G, Lompoc - (805) 735-4292

To learn more about these locations, visit DignityHealth.org/medplus.

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About Dignity Health Central Coast 
Dignity Health Central Coast is comprised of five award-winning hospitals, all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service, primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to provide additional funding to support new programs and services, as well as to advance the community’s access to health care.  For more information, visit dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.

About Pacific Central Coast Health Centers
A service of Dignity Health, Pacific Central Coast Centers (PHC) is a non-profit clinic organization comprised of nearly 40 community health centers located primarily in cities spanning from Lompoc to Templeton. Our experienced doctors and medical offices provide a wide range of health care services that include primary and specialty care services. PHC is a part of Dignity Health Central Coast’s award-winning network of outstanding hospitals, imaging centers, laboratories and post-acute centers composed of expert physicians and advanced practice providers. For information visit dignityhealth.org/phc.