Placer
County
’s Health and Human Services Department will once again sponsor seasonal flu clinics in several communities.
A complete schedule has been included in this story.
Getting a flu shot is an excellent way to reduce your chances of getting seasonal flu, which can leave you and your family feeling miserable with fever, cough, runny nose and muscle pain, and unable to go to school or work.
However, seasonal flu can also be a very serious disease for those at greatest risk. About 36,000 Americans die of seasonal flu each year, usually from complications of pneumonia.
People who are 60 or older are the most important group to receive flu shots, according to the state. The state also recommends that people who have chronic health issues and their household contacts, children aged 6 to 59 months, health care workers, pregnant women and people 50 or older receive immunizations. County clinics will focus on these higher risk groups first.
It is recommended that individuals check with their personal physician or health care provider for a personal recommendation and likely a flu shot. Some retail establishments also offer flu shots.
Flu shots at County clinics cost $10. There is no charge to MediCare patients who can show their MediCare cards and who are not enrolled in an HMO plan.
Washing your hands thoroughly and often, and covering your cough with a tissue or sleeve are also very important ways to stop the spread of flu viruses. When you wash with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds – the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice - you can significantly reduce your chances of picking up a cold or flu virus from something you touched, like a doorknob, a desk or during a handshake.
Here is the schedule of the County flu clinics. For up-to-date information about PlacerCounty flu immunization sites, go to www.placer.ca.gov or call the flu hotline (530-889-7161) to hear a recorded message. Additional sites will be added if more vaccine becomes available.
Drive through clinics are available in two locations, where you don’t even need to get out of the car to get a flu shot – just roll up your sleeve and stick out your arm!
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Tuesday, Oct. 17, 9 AM to 12:30 PM at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, 1273 High Street;
- Thursday, Oct. 19, 9 AM to 12:30 PM at the PlacerCounty Fairgrounds in Roseville, 800 All American City Drive.
More traditional clinics take place on the following dates and times:
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Tuesday, Oct. 24, 9 AM to 11 AM at the KingsBeach Fire Station, 288 Northshore Blvd.;
- Tuesday, Oct. 24, 12:30 PM to 3 PM at the FairwayCommunity Center in TahoeCity, 221 Fairway Drive; and
- Wednesday, Oct. 25, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, 1273 High Street. This is part of a community Health Fair.
- Wednesday, Nov. 1, 9 AM to 12:30 PM at the MaiduCommunity Center in Roseville, 1550 Maidu Drive;
- Thursday, Nov. 2, 9 AM to 11:30 AM at the Community Center in Colfax, 10 West Church Street;
- Tuesday, Nov. 7, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Foresthill, 24601 Harrison Street;
- Wednesday, Nov. 8, 9 AM to 11:30 AM at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Lincoln, 541 5th Street;
- Thursday, Nov. 9, 9 AM to 12:30 PM at the Assembly of GodChurch in Loomis, 6217 Brace Road;
- Wednesday, Nov. 15, 9 AM to 11:30 AM at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Roseville, 110 Park Drive; and
- Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 AM to 2 PM at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, 1273 High Street. This is part of the Mandarin Festival.
- Tuesday, Nov. 21, 9 AM to 11:30 AM at the City of RocklinSunsetCenter, 2650 Sunset Blvd.;
- Wednesday, Nov. 29, 9 AM to 11:30 AM at the SeniorCenter in Auburn, 11577 F Avenue; and
- Wednesday, Dec. 6, 9 AM to 11:30 AM at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Roseville, 110 Park Drive.
Recent media reports may have caused confusion about the differences between seasonal flu, avian (bird) flu and pandemic flu.
At this point, the only concern is seasonal flu, which happens every year. Most people can avoid getting sick by practicing good health care habits, washing their hands often and getting flu shots. Healthy adults are not usually at risk of serious complications.
Since 1997, a strain of bird flu has affected wild and domestic birds in Asia, Europe and Africa. Some people who have had very close contact with birds have gotten sick. However this bird flu does not appear to spread person-to person.
There is no pandemic flu virus now. Pandemic flu is a natural occurrence, but it doesn’t happen often; the last time was 1968. A pandemic flu would be caused by a new virus not seen in people before, and would be passed person-to-person. Should it occur, it could cause serious illness and social disruption.
The World Health Organization believes that another pandemic flu will develop at some point. WHO and government agencies are closely monitoring the situation. Precautionary planning for pandemic is taking place at the local, state and federal level.
Placer
County
’s web site, www.placer.ca.gov will continue to provide up-to-date information about the flu.