Article Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Sacramento County Public Health urges everyone to prioritize getting the flu shot this flu season to protect you and your family from the deadly virus. Cases of influenza can show up as early as October and the flu season continues through May. From the end of September through December the Sacramento County Immunization Assistance Program is hosting free Adult and Family Flu Clinics throughout the Sacramento area.
“Everyone in the community, who can get vaccinated, should get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection against the flu and is a preventable illness,” Sacramento County Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye said. “As the number of vaccinated individuals in a community increases, it decreases the transmission of the flu virus to those who have not, or cannot be vaccinated resulting in fewer hospitalizations and deaths.”
“Those who cannot receive the vaccine, including infants under six months of age, seniors and individuals with a compromised immune system such as those living with diabetes, HIV, or going through chemotherapy, rely on others being vaccinated to help protect them,” Kasirye said. “The earlier people get vaccinated, the better. It takes two weeks for the protective properties of the vaccine to take effect.”
Flu clinics are open to all who are over six months of age and are without medical contraindication to receive the vaccine. If you cannot attend a flu clinic, low-cost immunizations are also available for those who qualify.
Tuesday, Nov. 5 10am to 1pm at the Rio Linda Community Center, 810 Oak Lane in Rio Linda.
CONTACT INFO: ANDREA SANDOVAL, SACRAMENTO COUNTY COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA, 916-591-9730
