Flu shots will be given at eleven senior citizen nutrition sites as well as at fourteen other locations in Stanislaus County (schedule enclosed). Senior flu clinics are beginning October 18, 2001. Seniors may also get a pneumococcal immunization at the flu shot clinic. For most persons, the pneumococcal vaccine is given just once in a lifetime and is recommended for all persons age 65 years and older.

Stanislaus County Public Health Officer John Walker, M.D. said annual flu shots are important for seniors because seniors are more likely than others to become seriously ill if they get the flu. It is our plan not to immunize individuals at Public Health Clinics who are younger than age 60, unless they have a high-risk condition, until after November 5.

"Influenza viruses weaken the body, which makes older victims more susceptible to other infections. That's why, for seniors, prevention is essential," stated Dr. Walker.

"With aging, disease-fighting ability slows down, and you don't snap back after a couple of days of flu like you did when you were younger. Without a flu shot, a serious case of flu can develop quickly and worsen rapidly," he warned.

The 2001-02 influenza vaccine contains antigens to provide protection against the three strains of influenza viruses expected to cause illness this winter: A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2)-like, A/New Caledonia/20/99 (HINI)-like, and B/Sichuan/379/99-like antigens.

Last year, 8,013 county residents received flu shots through the Stanislaus County Public Health Services' program.

"For their protection, seniors should get a flu shot every year," explained Dr. Walker. "That's why we put so much time and effort into our annual community flu shot clinics."

Fur further information, contact the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency's Public Health Services at 558-8872.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 9 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 400,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA also is in local partnerships for the MOMobile project and the Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site www.hsaheatlh.org.