News and Alerts
The 2007-2008 Flu Season
Updated: December 12, 2007
Flu season is here. Everybody needs a flu shot! Flu season often extends late into the winter and spring months. Vaccination in December and January is highly recommended. Plenty of flu vaccine is available this year.
Those individuals at high risk are encouraged to get their vaccine. High-risk groups include the following categories:
Adults 50 years and older- Pregnant women
- Nursing home residents
- Health care workers
- Individuals with a chronic health condition
- Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday
- People who live with or care for an adult over 50, a child under 5, or anyone with a chronic health condition
Also please note: two doses of vaccine are recommended for children age 6 months to 8 years receiving influenza vaccine for the first time. Those children who received only a single, first-ever dose last season are recommended to receive 2 doses this season. Please consult your healthcare provider for further information.
Flu Shot Availability at the County Public Health Clinic
The Public Health Clinic family immunization center, located at 3420 Chanate Road in Santa Rosa, will be offering flu vaccine for a $15 fee during their normal clinic hours:
| Monday | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Family Immunizations |
| Tuesday | 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Family Immunizations |
(map and directions to this location)
Patients are seen on a walk-in basis only. The clinic will take walk-ins until it reaches maximum capacity.
Flu shots for infants, children and adults will be available.
Other Flu Shot Resources
Persons with health insurance are encouraged to get a flu shot at their health care provider's office. Kaiser members in Santa Rosa can call 571-4832. Kaiser members in Petaluma can call 765-3560.
You may also try the following websites:
- American Lung Association www.flucliniclocator.org
- Maxim Health Systems: www.findaflushot.com
- Sutter VNA and Hospice: www.sutterhealth.org/health/flushot/, or call 1-800-500-2400
FluMist®, a live, nasal spray influenza vaccine, is available to healthy individuals ages 2 through 49 who are not pregnant. Individuals interested in purchasing FluMist® should contact their local pharmacy or healthcare provider for availability. For more information, visit the FluMist website.
Thimerosal (Mercury) Law
Source: California Department of Health Services.
If you have questions about the flu vaccine, you can call the Sonoma County Health Information Line at 707-565-4477, or submit your question to a disease control nurse online at Ask a Disease Control Nurse.
Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Flu Vaccine
Prevents influenza-related death.
Each year over 36,000 people in the U.S. die because of the flu-most are 65 or older. More people die from flu than from any other vaccine-preventable disease.- Prevents severe illness.
In the U.S. influenza puts about 200,000 people in the hospital each year. Children younger than 2 years old are as likely to be hospitalized as adults who are 65 or older. - Protects other people.
You should get vaccinated if you live with or care for others who are at high risk of complications from the flu. Getting a flu vaccination yourself can help protect your family members, including seniors and young children.
About Influenza (The Flu)
Influenza, also called the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. It is different than a "cold." Influenza (flu) usually begins with a sudden onset of fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and headache. Other symptoms include muscle aches and extreme fatigue. These symptoms usually make people sick enough to keep them in bed for several days.
Most people recover from the flu completely in 1-2 weeks, although some people develop serious medical complications, such as pneumonia. Flu related complications can occur at any age; however, the elderly, very young infants and toddlers, and people with chronic health problems are much more likely to develop serious complications after influenza infection than are younger, healthier people.
There are measures that everyone can take to limit the spread of the flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses that occur in the community:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 15 seconds. Avoid touching your nose and eyes.
- Use disposable tissues instead of handkerchiefs when you cough or sneeze, and then wash your hands.
- If you or someone close to you is sick with symptoms, stay home, and rest before returning to work or school.
- If you have questions about your illness, call your physician or health care provider.
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