Modesto Bee Article

By Ken Carlson, Modesto Bee Staff Writer
last updated: September 10, 2009

Stanislaus County's Health Services Agency will administer vaccine for seasonal influenza at nine low-cost clinics for adults later this month.

Officials stressed this is not the vaccine for H1N1, also known as swine flu. The swine flu vaccine won't arrive until mid-October at the earliest.

Adults can roll up their sleeves to get a seasonal flu shot at one-day clinics in Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Oakdale, Riverbank and Hughson. The first clinic is from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 21 in Riverbank, at the firehouse on Topeka Avenue.

Three clinics are scheduled in Modesto, including the annual vaccination event at the Senior Center on Bodem Street from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 24.

The low-cost clinics are for people with high risk of serious complications from seasonal flu, including adults age 50 and older and anyone 19 and older who is pregnant or has heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or asthma.

Seasonal flu shots also are recommended for those who live with individuals in high-risk groups or who live with children younger than 6 months old.

"I think it is important that people get the seasonal flu vaccine and treat it as seriously as getting the swine flu vaccine," said Nancy Fisher, director of public health nursing for the county. "They shouldn't dismiss it as the same ol' flu, as though they don't need to worry about it."

The cost for a flu shot is $20, but the clinics accept Medi-Cal or Medicare Part B coverage.

Seniors with Medicare managed care plans, such as Secure Horizons or Kaiser Senior Advantage, should ask their physicians for a flu shot, officials said. The seasonal vaccine also will be available at pharmacies and private medical offices.

The seasonal flu vaccine for children may not be available until early October, Fisher said. The Health Services Agency is still working out plans for additional clinics next month to vaccinate children and adults.

Every year in the United States more than 30,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations are attributed to seasonal influenza. A vaccine for anticipated strains is manufactured each year for nationwide distribution.

This year, a separate vaccine is being developed and tested to protect people against swine flu, or H1N1.

Area Flu Shot Clinics

MODESTO

• Sept. 23, 9-11 a.m., Homewood Village, 2000 Mable Ave.
• Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Senior Center, 211 Bodem St. *
• Sept. 30, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Friendly Village, 2621 Prescott Ave.

CERES

• Sept. 28, 9-11 a.m., American Legion Hall, 2609 Lawrence Ave. *

OAKDALE

• Sept. 24, 8:30-11 a.m., Senior Center, 450 E. A St. *

RIVERBANK

• Sept. 21, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Riverbank Firehouse, 3318 Topeka Ave.

HUGHSON

• Sept. 29, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Hughson Community Center, 2307 Fourth St. *

TURLOCK

• Sept. 22, 9-11 a.m., Senior Center, 1191 Cahill Ave. *
• Sept. 24, 2:30-5:30 p.m., Turlock Salvation Army, 893 Lander Ave.

* Car service is available to vehicles displaying a handicapped sticker or placard. For more information, call 558-8872.

On the Net: For vaccination clinics at pharmacies, go to www.findaflushot.com.

Bee staff writer Ken Carlson can be reached at kcarlson@modbee.com or 578-2321.