IMPERIAL COUNTY PREPARES FOR UPCOMING FLU SEASON

The Public Health Department will start offering flu shots to individuals three years and older on Tuesday, September 21st at 8 a.m. A Drive-Thru Flu Clinic is scheduled for October 16th at the IV Expo.

IMPERIAL COUNTY – The Imperial County Public Health Department announced today that it would start administering flu shots on Tuesday September 21st to individuals three years of age and older. Vaccine for children 6 months to 3 years and pregnant women has not yet arrived but should be available by the end of this month. The Department will host three separate flu clinics during the months of September and October including a Drive-Thru Flu Clinic at the Imperial Valley Expo on Saturday October 16th. Flu shots for seniors will begin on Wednesday September 22nd at regularly

scheduled Senior Clinics throughout Imperial County. This year’s flu vaccine will protect against both seasonal flu and H1N1. The Public Health Department will be offering the whooping cough and pneumonia vaccines at its scheduled flu clinics (except for the drive-thru).

Dr. Stephen Munday, Public Health Officer stated, “Since the flu vaccine takes about two weeks to become effective, we strongly advise all individuals to get their flu shots early to lessen their risk of contracting the flu this flu season. The Department is extremely excited about partnering with the Imperial Valley Expo and other local providers to host the Drive-Thru Flu Clinic once again this year.” Flu activity in the United States generally peaks between late December and early March.

The Public Health Department-sponsored flu clinics will be held on the following dates: Tuesday, September 21st from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Public Health Dept.) Thursday, September 23rd from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Public Health Dept.) Saturday, October 16th from 7:30 am – 11 am (I.V. Expo in Imperial)

The Public Health Department clinics will take place at the Imperial County Public Health Department’s Training Center located at 935 Broadway in El Centro. There is no appointment necessary to get a flu shot at any of the scheduled clinics. The clinics will also offer whooping cough and state-purchased pneumococcal vaccine. The cost for the flu shot, whooping cough and state-purchased pneumonia shots will be $2.00 each (payments in cash or check only). Those interested in receiving a combination of flu, whooping cough and pneumonia vaccine will be able to get the three for $5.00 at the Public Health Department clinics.

The Public Health Department will be hosting its fourth Drive-Thru Flu Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, October 16th from 7:30 am to 11:00 am at the IV Expo (fairgrounds) in Imperial. This is a flu shot-only clinic event. This will be a collaborative effort between the Public Health Department, the Imperial Valley Expo, local healthcare providers and other partner agencies. Individuals attending this clinic should arrive in a vehicle and expect to stay with their vehicle while at the clinic. It is recommended that those who attend for a flu shot wear short sleeve shirts.

Flu shots will be available at the Public Health Department on a walk-in

basis during regular work hours (Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm) starting Monday, September 27th. The whooping cough and pneumonia vaccines will also be available on a walk-in basis. Flu Clinics for seniors are being held in various areas of the County. In addition, flu vaccine is available with local physicians and community clinics. Individuals who wish to receive the flu shot from their doctor will need to contact their healthcare provider directly about the availability of flu vaccine.

According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year in the United States, an average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the flu each year. Some people, such as older adults, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for suffering serious complications from the flu. Influenza is an acute respiratory illness that is spread from infected persons to the throat or nose of others. Signs and symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. For more information regarding the flu clinics or the flu vaccine please contact the Imperial County Public Health Department’s Immunization Program at (760) 482-4762 or send an email to lucyzertuche@co.imperial.ca.us

Source: http://tribwekchron.com/2010/09/2010-flu-vaccination-clinic-schedule-for-imperial-county/