Free flu shots to continue in Sacramento County — first clinic was so popular, doses ran out
Sacramento County public health officials kicked off the first in a series of free flu shot clinics Saturday as they urge residents to get flu vaccinations, which are even more important this year as COVID-19 continues to spread.
The Sacramento County Immunization Assistance Program is hosting flu shot clinics for adults and children throughout Sacramento County from late September through late November.
A list of the flu shot clinic locations, dates and times is available online on the county’s website.
The response Saturday morning was overwhelming, officials said, as Saturday’s flu shot clinic at Church of Christ-Lemon Hill in south Sacramento ended early after running out of doses. The event, which was scheduled until 2 p.m., c
The next clinic will be held Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Loaves & Fishes, 1321 N. C St. Another will take place next Saturday at Natomas Unified’s Service Center, 1931 Arena Blvd., between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
County Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye said those who can’t receive the vaccine, including infants younger than six months old or people with a compromised immune system such as those receiving chemotherapy, rely on others to get vaccinated and protect those vulnerable.
“The earlier people get vaccinated, the better. It takes two weeks for the protective properties of the vaccine to take effect,” Kasirye said in a news release from the county’s Public Health Department.
Physicians, hospital leaders and public health officials urged Californians to get their flu shots to help prevent what they described as a “twindemic,” in which the COVID-19 pandemic and seasonal influenza overwhelm medical facilities.
They’re concerned about hospital capacity if patients suffering with the flu seek treatment at medical facilities who are still treating patients infected with COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. They’re also worried about the potential for another surge of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.
County health officials said getting a flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, but the flu vaccine has other important benefits, such as reducing the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death.
Flu vaccination of people at high risk for medical complications is especially important to decrease the risk of severe flu illness, county health officials said. Those at risk include elderly people and those with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease and kidney disease.
County health officials also said that many people at higher risk from flu also seem to be at higher risk from COVID-19, so it’s important for them, as well, to get a flu shot this year.
Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should take actions to stop the spread of germs including:
▪ Limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
▪ Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.
▪ Cover your coughs or sneezes with your sleeve or with a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
▪ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
▪ Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with flu germs.
Those who cannot attend the flu shot clinics are encouraged to seek low-cost immunizations available for those who qualify, which are available, according to the county’s news release.
For more information about the flu vaccination clinics, call the Sacramento County Immunization Assistance Program at 916-875-7468.
This story was originally published September 25, 2020 at 5:18 PM.
