California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is urging Californians to get the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available and the Lassen County Department of Public Health is helping to make getting those vaccinations a little easier for county residents with a month-long series of clinics.
“Unlike some other infections, a person with influenza may be contagious and infect others before they have or show any symptoms,” said Dr. Smith. “Annual vaccination is the most reliable way to protect against infection and, therefore, stop transmission of influenza to others.”
Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. To reduce this threat, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women.
Two of this season’s vaccine components, the influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) strains, have been updated to match the viruses Californians are likely to face during the upcoming flu season.
Flu can cause severe disease across all ages. According to the California influenza surveillance report recently published, there were 78 influenza-associated deaths reported in persons under 65 years of age in California during the 2014-15 influenza season.
Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also:
-
Stay home when sick
-
Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue and properly dispose of the used tissue
-
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Lassen County Flu Vaccination Clinics are scheduled for:
Wednesday October 14th
11:30a.m. to 5:30p.m. Drive Thru at Jensen Hall
This event is FREE and open to all Lassen County residents
The following clinics are open to all Lassen County residents and shots will be $2.00 each, fee waivers are available if needed at all clinics.
Friday October 16th
9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Fort Sage One Stop (Herlong)
1:00p.m. to 3:30p.m. Doyle Community Center
9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. Susanville Senior Center
Thursday October 22nd
10:30a.m. – 3:30p.m. Mountain Valley Health Center Drive Thru (Bieber)
Friday October 23rd
1:00p.m. to 4:00.m. Westwood One Stop
Wednesday October 28th
10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Spaulding Community Center (Eagle Lake)
Thursday October 29th
1:30p.m. to 4:30p.m. IGA (Susanville Supermarket)
For more information visit www.lassencountyhealth.org. While you are at the Lassen Public Health website you can fill out and print your vaccine consent form to save some time at the clinic.
