Stanislaus County seniors are urged to take advantage of three low-cost community flu shot clinics planned to start Oct. 13.

“Annual flu shots are important for seniors because seniors are more likely than others to become seriously ill if they get the flu,” said John Walker, M.D., public health officer for the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency.

In Turlock, senior flu clinics will be held: from 5-6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 602 S. Walnut; from 1:30-3 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Salvation Army, 893 Lander Ave.; and from 9:30 a.m.-noon Oct. 30 at the Senior Citizen’s Center, 1191 Cahill Ave.

In addition to the Turlock locations, flu shots will be given at 10 senior citizen nutrition sites as well as at 12 other locations in Stanislaus County.

Annual flu shots are needed because the flu virus changes its profile each year, according to David Jones, public information officer for the HSA.

The 2003-04 vaccine contains antigens to provide protection against the three strains of influenza viruses expected to cause illness this winter.

Seniors are not the only ones who need the flu vaccine, however. Other people who are more likely to have severe illness or complications if they get the flu include those at any age with diabetes, asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, or a weakened immune system.

Even healthy infants between 6 and 24 months of age, and adults over the age of 50, have a greater chance of problems if they get the flu.

Anyone who wishes to decrease their risk of illness from the flu should obtain the vaccine, but should wait until November, so those at highest risk can be immunized first, said Jones.

Last year, over 7,000 Stanislaus County residents received flu shots through the public health services’ program.

“For their protection, seniors should get a flu shot,” said Walker. “That’s why we put so much time and effort into our annual community flu shot clinics.”

A donation of $10, by cash or check, is suggested for the senior flu shot, however no one will be denied immunization because of inability to pay.

Senior flu shot clinics will also be held in October/November in Hughson, Denair, Ceres, Keyes, Waterford, Patterson, Rirverbank, Newman, Salida and Modesto.

For more information, contact the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency’s Public Health Services at 558-8872, or visit www.hsahealth.org.

Reprinted by permission of the Turlock Journal.