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, DVM, MPVM, 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, targeted particularly for those in the risk groups identified below. However flu shots will be available to anyone through these clinics. These clinics are conveniently located in a number of Placer County communities.
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 are or will be pregnant during influenza season.
- All children 6 months to 18 years of age.
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic 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, a child less than 5 years of age, or a person with chronic medical conditions.
Children younger than nine years of age getting a flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses of flu vaccine. This year in addition to flu injections, Placer County has available for those who meet medical guidelines, limited amounts of vaccine in intranasal form (“flu mist”).
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 are usually $20. The cost may be reduced based on income (sliding fee scale). There is no charge to MediCare members with Part B who can show their MediCare cards and who are not enrolled in an HMO plan.
Here is a list of flu shot clinics sponsored by Placer County Health and Human Services:
· Tuesday, Oct. 14, 9 AM to 11:30 AM at the North Tahoe Fire Protection District Station in Kings Beach (#52), 288 North Shore Blvd., Kings Beach (Hwy. 267 and North Lake Blvd.).
· Tuesday, Oct. 14, 1:30 PM to 4 PM at the North Tahoe Fire Protection District Station in Tahoe City (#51), 300 North Lake Blvd. (Hwy. 28), Tahoe City.
· Thursday, Oct. 16, 9 AM to 1 PM at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. At this drive-through clinic, immunization recipients can remain in their cars.
Attendees should come to the Fairgate Street entrance off Auburn Folsom Road.
· Wednesday, Oct. 22, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, 1273 High Street, as part of a Senior Health Fair featuring many services.
· Saturday, October 25, 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at William Jessup University, 333 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, as part of a Senior Health and Resource Fair.
· Monday, October 27, 9 AM to 11:30 AM, Rocklin Sunset Community Center in Rocklin, 2650 Sunset Blvd.
· Monday October 27, 1:30 PM to 4 PM, at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Lincoln, 541 5th Street.
· Thursday, Oct. 30, 9 AM to Noon at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Roseville, 110 Park Drive.
· Tuesday, Nov. 4, 9 AM to 11:30 AM, at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Foresthill, 24601 Harrison Road.
· Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2 PM to 4:30 PM at the Sierra Vista Community Center in Colfax, 55 School Street.
· Thursday, Nov. 6, 9 AM to Noon, at the Maidu Community Center in Roseville, 1550 Maidu Drive.
· Thursday, Nov. 13, 10 AM to 2 PM, at the Multipurpose Senior Center in Auburn, 11577 E Avenue.
· Friday, Nov. 21, Noon to 5 PM, at the Mountain Mandarin Festival, Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, 1273 High Street.
· Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10 AM to 2 PM, at the Multipurpose Senior Center in Auburn, 11577 E Avenue.
· Thursday, Dec. 11, 9 AM to Noon, at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Roseville, 110 Park Drive.