Gil Chavez, the acting chief deputy director of the California
Department of Public Health, is encouraging Californians to get the
seasonal influenza vaccine this year. The vaccination is now
available statewide, and will be offered for free at a county flu
clinic in November.
Gil Chavez, the acting chief deputy director of the California Department of Public Health, is encouraging Californians to get the seasonal influenza vaccine this year. The vaccination is now available statewide, and will be offered for free at a county flu clinic in November.
“This year both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus will be circulating throughout the United States,” Chavez said, in a press release. “I encourage Californians to get a seasonal flu shot now and an H1N1 flu shot when it becomes available later this fall.”
Staff from the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division, will be conducting two free flu vaccination clinics this year. The seasonal vaccination clinic will be Nov. 3, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the Veterans Memorial Building. The H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held Nov. 17, though the time has not been set yet.
“The season flu shot will not protect you from the H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu,” Chavez said. “It will, however, protect you from the seasonal flu strains that we expect this year.”
Seasonal flu shots are recommended for children age 6 months to 19 years old, pregnant women, people age 50 and older, people or any age with certain chronic medical conditions, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications of the flu (including healthcare workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu, and household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months old.)
State health officials expect the flu season to be more severe than normal, with both H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses in circulation. The strains will cause illness, hospital stays and deaths.
Officials suggest that people practice the universal precautions such as washing hands with soap and water, and using alcohol-based hand cleansers; cover one’s mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and throwing tissue in the trash after use; stay home when sick and remain at home at least 24 hours after a fever has subsided.
For more information, visit www.cdph.ca.gov.
