Shingles vaccine administered to the first Quebec patient at the Clinique
Santé-voyage de la Fondation du CHUM

MONTREAL , Sept. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The Clinique Santé-voyage de la Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) is proud to be the first clinic in Quebec to offer the new shingles vaccine. The Clinique's medical activities director, microbiologist and infectious diseases specialist Dr. Fernand Turgeon , received the first dose of the vaccine administered in Quebec today. Another of the Clinique's doctors, Dr. Provencher , a general practitioner and travel medicine specialist, performed the injection.

Developed by Merck Frosst, the immunization is the first and only one to prevent a shingles outbreak. "This vaccine is effective, safe and has great benefits," said Dr. Turgeon . "Until now, there was nothing available to prevent this often very painful disease that can lead to complications. The clinical community is delighted by the addition of this new immunization," Dr. Provencher added.

The vaccination session took place in the Clinique Santé-voyage de la Fondation du CHUM's offices located at 1001 Saint-Denis Street. "Our clinic is different because it is managed by a hospital foundation, the Fondation du CHUM. All of our profits go directly to the Fondation," said Jo-Anne Hudon, clinical services director at the Fondation du CHUM. "By using our services, our clients are also helping to support a good cause," she explained.

As of today, the shingles vaccine is now part of the immunization inventory offered by the Clinique.

A few words about the Clinique Santé-voyage de la Fondation du CHUM

The Clinique Santé-voyage de la Fondation du CHUM offers a complete range of travel-related vaccines and services, as well as basic immunizations for day-to-day health. Founded in 1978, the clinic, formerly known as the Clinique Santé-voyage Saint-Luc, is one of the largest of its kind in North America . Its team of travel health specialists includes 20 physicians and 8 nurses. The team looks after the needs of over 30,000 clients a year. The Clinique's services are available by appointment (by calling 514-890-8332) or on a walk-in basis (by going directly to 1001 Saint-Denis Street, 6th floor, Montreal , Quebec ). For more information about the Clinique, visit our website at santevoyage.com.

About the Foundation

The mission of the Fondation du CHUM is to provide the CHUM with an ongoing source of private funds to complement public funding, in order to help it improve patient care, acquire cutting-edge equipment and carry out research, teaching and health promotion activities. To make a donation to the Fondation du CHUM, visit our website at fondationduchum.com, or call 1 866 DON-CHUM (1 866 366-2486) or 514 890-8077, extension 35205. Giving... makes a world of difference!

Photos available on request

For further information: Julie Desbiens, [phone] (extension 36182), [email protected]; Source: The Fondation du CHUM