Flu vaccine clinics in South Lake Tahoe and West Slope

The 2018/19 flu season almost upon us and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending an annual influenza vaccination for everyone six months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine.

They said flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses (the B/Victoria component was changed and the influenza A(H3N2) component was updated).

It is advised to get flu vaccines before flu begins spreading in the community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body, so make plans to get vaccinated early in fall, before flu season begins. CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting vaccinated later, however, can still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout flu season, even into January or later.

The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division will begin conducting low-cost community flu vaccination clinics on September 27, 2018, with additional clinics offered through November. Seasonal influenza vaccine will be available in flu shot form at the clinics.

“Everyone six months of age or older should get a flu vaccine each year for the best protection against the flu,” said Lynnan Svensson, Nursing Program Manager with Public Health. “It is especially important to vaccinate high-risk people, such as children under age five, people 65 years and older, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. It is also critical for health care workers and people taking care of high-risk persons to be immunized.”

The cost per vaccine is $10, but no one will be denied service due to inability to pay; cash or check accepted. Parents should bring their child’s immunization records. Updated information on flu clinics will be posted to www.edcgov.us/publichealth and on the County Flu Hotline at (530) 621-6188.

South Lake Tahoe Community Flu Clinic Dates and Locations for 2018:
• September 27, October 4 & October 18, from to 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 3050 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe.
• October 11 & October 25, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bijou School, 3501 Spruce Avenue, in the Teacher’s Lounge, South Lake Tahoe
• November 1, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Airport, 1901 Airport Road, South Lake Tahoe.

West Slope Community Flu Clinic Dates and Locations for 2018:
• October 2, Drive Thru Clinic from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive, in the Pavilions, Placerville.
• October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pioneer Park, 6740 Fairplay, Somerset.
• October 8, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Pollock Pines Community Church, 6361 Pony Express Trail, in the Evergreen Room, Pollock Pines.
• October 19, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Diamond Springs Fire Station 49, 501 Main Street, in the Conference Room, Diamond Springs.
• October 24, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Grizzly Flats Community Church, 5061 Sciaroni Road, Grizzly Flats.
• October 25, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Garden Valley Fire Station 51, 4860 Marshall Road, Garden Valley.
• October 29, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cameron Park Fire Station 89, 3200 Country Club Drive, in the Conference Room, Cameron Park.
• November 1, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at El Dorado Hills Fire Station 85, 1050 Wilson Boulevard, in the Conference Room, El Dorado Hills.
• November 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Divide Wellness Center, 6065 Highway 193, Georgetown.