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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Contra Costa Health Services will hold a free one-day, flu vaccination event in nine Contra Costa cities next month.

The Public Health Division of Contra Costa Health Services plans to hold the free flu clinics from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 10 to "Vaccinate Contra Costa." Only one vaccine is needed this year to protect against H1N1 and two other flu strains expected to be circulating this year, said Contra Costa Health Services Immunization Coordinator Erika Jenssen. People need this vaccine even if they received seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine last year, and some children will need two doses, she said.

"The beginning of November is the perfect time to get vaccinated," Jenssen said. "It's right before families gather for the holidays, so you won't spread or catch the flu from any relatives."

The flu is a serious respiratory disease that can cause severe illness and even death. Jenssen said a person could be contagious 24 hours before experiencing symptoms, which may include headache, body aches, nausea, fever and a dry cough.

"The flu poses the greatest danger for infants and the elderly, who are often infected by relatives who did not get vaccinated," she said. "Everyone older than 6 months should get vaccinated, especially pregnant women and people who have contact with young children."

Vaccine at the Nov. 10 clinics will be offered for free in both shot and nasal spray forms. Jenssen said the nasal spray is a painless alternative to the shot, but is only available to healthy people age 2 to 49 years and who are not pregnant. Children under 9 years of age will need two doses of flu vaccine, one month apart, if this is the first time that the child is receiving flu vaccine, or if the child has never received an H1N1 vaccine before. The hours of the clinics are intended to allow families time to get vaccinated after work and school.

The clinics will be held in Richmond (403 Civic Center Plaza), El Sobrante (5050 El Portal Drive), Concord (5298 Clayton Road), Martinez (30 Muir Road), Lafayette (952 Moraga Road), Danville (655 Old Orchard Drive), Pittsburg (200 Marina Boulevard), Antioch (1919 Buchanan Road) and Brentwood (30 Learning Lane).

Flu vaccine is also available from health care providers, local pharmacies, grocery stores, and community clinics. A podcast and video answering commonly asked flu questions is available on the CCHS website. To find out more about the flu or to locate a clinic near you, visit www.cchealth.org or call the CCHS Health Emergency Information Line at 1-888-959-9911 or 211 for information in both English and Spanish.

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