Experts: Protect yourself from the flu by getting vaccinated

While last year’s especially deadly and contagious flu season is no indication of what will happen this year, medical experts are advising people to get their flu shots early to maximize protection.

Local pharmacies and health care providers have started administering the vaccine, which can be given to most people as young as 6 months of age. It is especially crucial for those with health issues that could mean a more serious illness or death due to complications.

While the vaccine is no guarantee one will not catch the flu, medical experts say it can help ward off the most prevalent strains predicted by the Centers for Disease Control for the 2018-19 season and chosen by the Food and Drug Administration to decrease the severity and length of illness. Doing so is important because sometimes the flu can lead to complications and be fatal, even among those without pre-existing health conditions.

Last year’s 342 fatalities spanned those ages 1 to 101 years, with 13 percent of fatal cases among those under 65. The season (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) included 20,833 lab-confirmed cases, of which 320 required stays in intensive care units, according to the county’s Health and Human Services Agency. In contrast, the 2016-17 season before had 6,827 lab-confirmed flu cases, with 87 fatalities and 107 requiring ICU admission in the county.

“Last year ... was a severe flu season,” said Dr. Eric McDonald, medical director of the county’s epidemiology program. He said this was not just true for San Diego, but across the United States.

“We had more Influenza B cases than the entire previous season (of strains) put together,” McDonald said, citing the 6,800-plus B cases last year.

Early CDC reports indicated last year’s vaccination might not have been a good match for the Influenza A (H3N2) strain, he said, but it was a good match for the B strain. But this might have contributed to some people not getting vaccinated or waiting until January or later, a factor in the high number of cases, he said. McDonald added that not getting the shot is “absolutely the worst thing,” to do since not only does it decrease the likelihood of not getting sick, but can lessen illness severity if one does.

According to McDonald, one-third of those who died had been immunized and it takes two weeks from when the shot is administered to build immunity. For that reason, he advises people to get the shot from now through Nov. 1 since after that is when flu season typically takes off. “Definitely get it more than two weeks before Thanksgiving vacation since that is the number one travel day of the year,” he said.

But people who do not get the shot then are still encouraged to get one through early next year.

Pregnant women should especially get the shot since not only are they more at risk to complications, but vaccinated pregnant women can pass on immunity to their babies prior to birth and continue providing antibody protection if nursing until their infants reach 6 months of age and be vaccinated. “Others in the household should also get the shot,” McDonald said.

Others at increased risk of flu complications are those with heart and lung illnesses, compromised immune systems, diabetes or obesity, he said.

Palomar Health is making it easy to get the vaccine. Its low-cost community clinics set up in churches, senior centers and hospitals are for ages 9 through adult. Of the 84 clinics planned, the first local one will be Sept. 17 in Poway. Clinics are scheduled through the end of January. Local clinics are below. The entire list of clinics can be viewed at tinyurl.com/PH-flu-shots18. Since immunity lasts six to 12 months, the vaccine needs to be administered yearly.

Palomar Health’s clinics are providing the shot for $20 per person. Free shots are available during clinics at libraries and senior centers plus to those unable to afford the fee, through a partnership with San Diego County’s Department of Health, according to Registered Nurse Luanne Arangio-Law, Palomar Health’s community health nurse supervisor. Medicare is accepted for those who qualify. Those individuals must bring their Medicare card (the red, white and blue card). Payment is due at the clinic, payable by cash or check.

Because children younger than 9 often need two doses of influenza vaccine, they cannot be vaccinated at the community clinics. Palomar Health’s Expresscare Clinics can give the vaccination to those as young as 4 years. For walk-in locations and hours, go to PalomarHealth.org/expresscare. Children with asthma must be vaccinated at a doctor’s office.

In addition to getting the vaccine, health officials say to follow tips like staying home if sick, following good hand and cough hygiene — washing hands frequently and coughing into one’s elbow — and, if possible, keeping one’s distance from those known to be ill. McDonald said contacting a medical provider within 48 hours of symptoms is best since antiviral medication can be prescribed, sometimes over the phone.

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Palomar Health Community Flu Shot Clinic Schedule

Palomar Health will be administering the flu shot at these local community clinics. The cost is $20, unless otherwise noted. Free shots are available to those unable to afford the fee through a partnership with the San Diego County’s Department of Health.

POWAY

► Palomar Medical Center Poway (former Pomerado Hospital), 15615 Pomerado Road, on Monday, Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; on Monday, Oct. 1 from 3 to 5 p.m.; on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon; on Monday, Nov. 5 from 9 to 11 a.m.; on Monday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon; on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m.; on Friday, Dec. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.; on Thursday, Jan. 10 from 2 to 4 p.m.; on Monday, Jan. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.; and on Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m.

► St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road, on Sunday, Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon.

► Poway Senior Center, 13094 Civic Center Drive, on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. — Free shots.

► St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 15546 Pomerado Road, on Sunday, Oct. 7 from 8 to 11 a.m.

► Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion lobby, 15611 Pomerado Road, on Thursday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon; on Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon; and on Monday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon.

► Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road, on Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon; on Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m.; and on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. — Free shots.

► Incarnation Lutheran Church, 16889 Espola Road, on Sunday, Nov. 11 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

RANCHO BERNARDO

► Rancho Bernardo Senior Services, 16769 Bernardo Center Drive, on Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. — Free shots.

► San Rafael Catholic Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 8 to 10 a.m.

► Ed Brown Center for Active Adults, 18402 W. Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo Community Park, on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon. — Free shots.

4S RANCH

► 4S Ranch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive, on Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m.; on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 4 to 6 p.m.; and on Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. — Free shots.

email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com