The San Benito County Public Health Department has scheduled a
free H1N1 vaccination clinic for all residents for 1:30 to 6:30
p.m. Jan. 27 at the Veterans Memorial Building, according to a
press release from the health department. It also has expanded its
hours at the local office for availability of the H1N1 vaccine.
The San Benito County Public Health Department has scheduled a free H1N1 vaccination clinic for all residents for 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at the Veterans Memorial Building, according to a press release from the health department.
The department expects there will be more than 3,000 doses available for residents at 6 months of age or above.
The local health department had held a clinic for the seasonal flu in early November, and more than 3,000 residents came for vaccinations to that free offering.
The San Benito County Public Health Department, meanwhile, has expanded the hours for which the H1N1 flu vaccination is available. The vaccination is available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., by appointment Monday through Thursday, through Dec. 21, with additional appointments available through the San Benito Health Foundation through the end of the month.
Influenza activity in California continues to be widespread. According to a recent media briefing conducted by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the H1N1 virus has now resulted in the hospitalization of 7,268 people and the deaths of 366 individuals since the beginning of the pandemic in California.
“Flu may be decreasing, but it isn’t going away,” according to Gil Chavez, a spokesperson from the California Department of Public Health, in a press release. “It is still present and is well above average for this time of year both nationally and in California. Over the last week alone, CDPH received reports of 794 Californians hospitalized, 1,331 requiring intensive care, and 12 dying due to H1N1. Talk and speculation about waves and peaks is interesting in historic terms, but one thing is certain: pandemics are unpredictable.”
Health officials also noted the benefit of everyone remembering to take common-sense steps like washing your hands frequently; covering your mouth with your arm when you cough and sneeze; and staying home when you are sick to help protect others from the flu.
Residents interested in getting the vaccine can also check with their primary care provider for the vaccine before contacting the health department. The Public Health Department will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 3 for a work furlough, but the San Benito Health Foundation will accept appointments for the H1N1 vaccination in a partnership with public health Dec. 22 through Jan. 5. New hours for the public health clinic will be available in January.
To schedule an appointment at the San Benito Health Foundation, call 637-5306. For more information on the Seasonal and H1N1 influenza please call the Health Department at 637-5367 or check the California Department of Public Health’s website at www.cdph.ca.gov.
For more see the Pinnacle on Friday.
