News and Alerts
Posted: September 29, 2008
The 2008-2009 Flu Season
Don't Get the Flu. Don't Spread the Flu. Get Vaccinated!
Flu season is coming. Everybody needs a flu shot! There will be plenty of flu vaccine this year.
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year:
- Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
- Health care workers
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Most of these people are recommended for vaccination because they are at high risk of having serious flu complications or they live with or care for people at high risk for serious complications.
Flu Shot Saturday is on Saturday, December 6th. Many organizations are sponsoring community flu clinics (pdf) on this date at locations throughout Sonoma County.
Also please note: two doses of vaccine are recommended for children age 6 months through 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 Family Immunization Clinic, located at 3420 Chanate Road in Santa Rosa, will be offering flu vaccine for a $15 fee at a flu shot clinic on Wednesday, December 10th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
(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 393-4832. 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.
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 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.- 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. - 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.
- Avoid crowds and people who are sick.
- Stay home and rest if you are sick with symptoms.
- Eat a healthy diet.