Influenza ("The Flu")

Esta página en español

On this page:

• Message from the Sonoma County Health Officer
• Where to Find a Flu Vaccine
• Who Should Get a Flu Vaccine?
• For the General Public
• For Healthcare Providers
• For Specific Groups
• Resources for Health Educators

Message from the Sonoma County Health Officer

In the United States, yearly outbreaks of seasonal flu usually occur during the fall through early spring. Influenza or "the flu" is a serious contagious disease. As a doctor, I have seen many patients (from infants to seniors) suffer from serious flu complications. Every year in Sonoma County, flu leads to lost days at work and school, hospitalizations and even deaths.

Take the following simple actions to protect yourself and others during this flu season:

1. Get vaccinated. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. I urge everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine this fall. The 2012-2013 flu vaccine protects against three types of flu, including two new strains this year.
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.
3. Don't share personal items like toothbrushes, beverage bottles or cups.
4. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Protect others. If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

By protecting yourself, you are also protecting others around you from what could be a life- threatening illness. Let's all work together to make this flu season as healthy and safe as possible for everyone.

Be well,
Lynn Silver-Chalfin, MD
Sonoma County Health Officer

Where to Find a Flu Vaccine

This year, the seasonal flu vaccine includes protection against three strains of flu, two of them new this year.* Because vaccine protection decreases and new strains circulate, you need to get a flu vaccination every year. Most people will be able to get one flu vaccine to protect against the major circulating flu viruses. Younger children (less than 9 years old) may need two doses to receive adequate protection.

*A/Victoria, A/California (H1N1) and *B/Wisconsin

Persons with health insurance, including Medicare, are encouraged to get a seasonal flu shot at their health care provider's office. Kaiser members in Santa Rosa can call (707)393-4832. Kaiser members in Petaluma can call (707)765-3560.

If you have no regular health care provider, please call the community health center in your area for information about the flu shot.

Many local pharmacies offer the influenza vaccine.

Sutter VNA and Hospice offers flu shot clinics flu shot clinics , or call (707)535-5690.

The HealthMap Vaccine Finder is a free, online service where users can search for locations offering flu vaccines.

Free flu shots for kids: free Shoo The Flu child vaccinations will be available at Bay Area Target pharmacy locations through January 31, 2013.

Community Immunization Clinics and Clinical Services in Sonoma County (pdf)

If you have questions about the seasonal 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 or Ask an IZ Nurse.

Who Should Get a Seasonal Flu Shot?

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year to protect themselves as well as others. It is especially important that certain people be vaccinated because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, children, elderly and those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, a weak immune system, morbid obesity, or younger than age 19 and on long-term aspirin therapy.

People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the General Public

What You Should Know for the 2012-2013 Influenza Season
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) and Flu Vaccine
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How to Prevent the Flu
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What To Do If You Get Sick
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What To Do If You Get Sick
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Caring for Someone Sick at Home
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Intradermal Influenza (Flu) Vaccination
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For the 2012-2013 season, flu vaccine can be given by three methods. In addition to injectible vaccine or flu mist vaccine, flu vaccine can be delivered by an intradermal injection. This is a very small amount of flu vaccine given just under the skin by an extremely short needle. This new version of flu vaccine will be available at various locations (but not all).

For Healthcare Providers

Vaccination of Health Care Workers for Influenza October 23, 2012 (pdf)
Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services.

Novel H3N2 Influenza Health Advisory December 20, 2011
Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services.

Vaccination for Children

Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged 6 months and older. Children 6 months through 8 years of age may need to receive 2 doses of 2012-2013 flu vaccine, 4 or more weeks apart. The first dose should be given as soon as vaccine is available, and the second doses at least 28 days after the first. (Note that for the 2012-2013 season, the ACIP recommends that the trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) "Afluria" not be given to children younger than 9 years old, although it is approved for children aged 5 years and older.)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR.

Vaccination of People with Egg Allergy

For the 2012-2013 season, there is a more permissive influenza vaccination recommendation for persons with egg allergies. Based on a thorough review of several recent studies, administration of both full doses and split doses of TIV have been tolerated by people with egg allergies, without serious reactions. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends that, for the 2012-2013 influenza season, people who have experienced only hives from consuming eggs can receive TIV intramuscularly as long as they are treated by a health care provider who is familiar with the potential manifestations of egg allergies and can be observed by a health care professional for at least 30 minutes after receiving each dose. The 2012 ACIP recommendations has an algorithm to help guide clinician decision-making regarding vaccination of persons with egg allergy.
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR.

Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — United States, 2012–13 Influenza Season
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR.

Summary of influenza vaccination recommendations
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

TABLE. Influenza vaccine information, by age group — United States, 2012–13 influenza season
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR.

Influenza Specimen Collection and Submittal Instructions - for all Influenza including A(H3N2)v Influenza (pdf)
Source: Sonoma County Regional Laboratory.

Severe Influenza Case History Form (pdf)
Source: California Department of Public Health.

Influenza Vaccination Information for Health Care Workers
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For Specific Groups

People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pregnant Women and Influenza (Flu)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Seasonal Flu Information for Businesses & Employees
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Seasonal Flu Information for Schools and Childcare Providers
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Resources for Health Educators

Flyer for Asthma Patients English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Diabetes Patients English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Families: No Flu in My House English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Families: I'll Protect My Baby English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Families: I'll Protect My Baby (Mom) Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Families with Preschool Age Children English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Healthcare Workers - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Native Americans - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for People at High Risk - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Pregnant Women English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Seniors English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Seniors - Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Youth - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Youth - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.