It’s time for a flu shot for anyone who wants to reduce their chance of getting the flu. A plentiful supply of the vaccine is available from health care providers and local retail establishments.
“A bout with seasonal flu can leave you or your family members feeling miserable with fever, cough, runny nose and muscle pain, and unable to go to school or work,” said Dr. Mark Starr, Director of the Placer County Community Health and Clinics Division. “Getting a flu shot is an excellent way to reduce your chances of getting the flu. Seasonal flu can be a very serious disease for those at greatest risk, and on average 35,000 Americans die of seasonal flu each year."
Placer County’s Health and Human Services Department will once again sponsor low-cost flu clinics for those in the risk groups identified below. These clinics are conveniently located in a number of Placer County communities. One clinic, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct.23, is a drive-through clinic and will be available from 9 AM to 1 PM near the Gold Country Fairgrounds entrance on Fairgate Street, off Auburn Folsom Road in Auburn.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and California Department of Public Health recommend that the following groups receive flu vaccinations:
- Adults aged 50 and older.
- All women who will be pregnant during influenza season.
- Children 6 months to 5 years of age.
- Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
- Healthcare workers with direct patient care. New state law requires acute care hospitals to offer vaccine to all employees free of charge.
- Individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals who live with or care for an elderly individual or a child less than 5 years of age.
Children younger than nine years of age getting a flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses of flu vaccine.
An updated schedule of the County’s flu shot clinics is available on line at www.placer.ca.gov. Residents can also call the County’s flu hotline (530-889-7161) to hear a recorded message. Flu shots cost $10. There is no charge to MediCare patients who can show their MediCare cards and who are not enrolled in an HMO plan. Here is a list of Placer County Flu Vaccination clinics:
- Tuesday, Oct. 30, 9 AM to Noon at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Roseville, 110 Park Drive;
- Tuesday, Nov. 6, 9 AM to Noon, Veterans Memorial Hall in Foresthill, 24601 Harrison Roads;
- Thursday, Nov. 8, 9 AM to Noon at the Sierra Vista Community Center in Colfax, 55 School Street;
- Wednesday, Nov. 14, 9 AM to Noon, Rocklin Sunset Community Center in Rocklin, 2650 Sunset Blvd.;
- Tuesday, Nov. 20, 9 AM to Noon, at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Lincoln, 541 5th Street;
- Wednesday, Nov. 28, 9 AM to Noon, at the Multipurpose Senior Center in Auburn, 11577 F Avenue.