NORTH COUNTY–Flu season has arrived and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported seeing an increase in flu activity in most of the country.
Palomar Health is offering four additional free flu shot clinics this month at scheduled times and locations in Poway and Escondido.
“Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can be dangerous, especially for children and the elderly,” says Palomar Health Community Health Nurse Educator Luanne Arangio-Law, RN, MEd. “There is still time to get a free flu shot and protect yourself and those around you.”
The CDC estimates that flu vaccinations for the 2014-15 season prevented approximately 67,000 hospitalizations, 1.9 million illnesses and 966,000 medical visits associated with influenza.
Palomar Health nurses are providing the influenza vaccine by injection to persons 9 years of age and older on a first-come, first-served basis at the following free clinics:
Thursday, January 21, from 3 to 5 p.m.: Pomerado Hospital, 15615 Pomerado Road, Poway
Tuesday, January 26, 1 to 3 p.m.: Palomar Medical Center, 2185 Citracado Parkway, Escondido
Thursday, January 28, 1 to 3 p.m.: Pomerado Hospital, 15615 Pomerado Road, Poway
Palomar Health scheduled nearly 100 flu shot clinics September 2015 to January 2016. Over 3,200 people have received flu shots during the seasonal campaign.
It takes up to two weeks for protection to develop after the shot and protection lasts six months to one year.
“If you have not received your vaccine please rethink your decision,” Arangio-Law says. “It is the responsible thing to do to protect your family and others in the community.”
