Appointments for H1N1 available through end of year
The San Benito County Public Health Department 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. Local staff also
noted this week that none of the lots of H1N1 vaccine distributed
in San Benito County were not part of a recall due to lack of
potency.
Appointments for H1N1 available through end of year
The San Benito County Public Health Department 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. Local staff also noted this week that none of the lots of H1N1 vaccine distributed in San Benito County were not part of a recall due to lack of potency.
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.”
“We’re going from a time where there were high levels of disease in communities across the state and not enough vaccines to a time where disease is very gradually decreasing and we’re having a steady increase in the amount of vaccine available,” he added. “That leaves a window of opportunity for people to be protected by getting the H1N1 vaccine. It’s worth repeating. In California, illnesses due to H1N1 remain widespread. More illnesses, more hospitalizations and more fatalities are – unfortunately – occurring each week.”
CDPH is encouraging Californians to continue to seek opportunities to get vaccinated and continue to practice good hygiene to protect themselves from the flu.
Meanwhile, laboratory testing shows that H1N1 remains the dominant strain of influenza virus now circulating in the state. So far, there have been very few cases of anti-viral resistant strains in California (three).
“Furthermore, the virus itself has not mutated significantly which is good news, especially for the vaccination campaign,” Chavez said. “Every vaccinated person helps quell this pandemic and saves lives.”
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 Web site at www.cdph.ca.gov.
