Health officials urge early flu shots

Local medical teams are urging San Diegans to get vaccinations before Oct. 24 to significantly reduce the number of patients likely to become ill with the flu.

“We typically tell seniors, those who are pregnant and healthcare workers to get their shots right away,” said Terry Newman, a registered nurse with Scripps and a Community Health Improvement Partners member.

Newman and others participating in a CHIP campaign called “Immunize San Diego,” provide information about flu symptoms, where the public can get shots and important updates throughout the influenza season.

Another tip that they’re offering this year is for healthy people who typically don’t get the flu or if they do, have fairly minor problems.

“We’re telling healthy people that aren’t seniors and have no serious illnesses to get FluMist,” Newman said. “That guarantees that there will be plenty of vaccine to go around for everyone.”

Unfortunately, the cost of the over-the-counter nasal spray has escalated since last year. Cost for the mist is about $25, but the price of this year’s vaccine is also up — an average of between $20 to $25, or more depending on the source.

While the flu typically peaks in January, the time to get immunized would ideally be in the next few weeks, because it will take a few weeks for the serum to offer some protection, Newman said.

“Remember, it doesn’t mean that you won’t get the flu,” she said. “It does mean that it will minimize the risks if you do, especially for seniors.’

Most of this year’s serum is coming from Aventis Sanofi, a United States pharmaceutical company that recently changed its named from Aventis Pasteur.

Last year, serum from California-based Chiron Corp.’s manufacturing plant in England never made it to the United States because inspectors found contaminants in the serum.

Several grocery stores, such as Albertson’s and Ralphs, along with the Costco in Carmel Mountain Ranch, will be offering flu shots on a limited basis in October and November. Each location will post its schedule inside the store.

Both Poway Senior Center and Rancho Bernardo Senior Services are prepared to give shots. The Poway center will offer shots for $10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 4 at 13094 Civic Center Drive. For more information, call (858) 748-6094.

Appointments are needed to reserve a spot at the RB center, which has about 200 spots left for free shots. That group will have nurses giving the immunizations between 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 24 to 26 at 16769 Bernardo Center Drive.

Palomar Pomerado Health has set up nearly 50 clinics — mostly at local churches and senior centers — in Poway, 4S Ranch and neighboring communities. Shots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis at $10 each.

Kathy Lunardi, a registered nurse, coordinates the program and can be reached at (858) 675-5072.

Some of the local PPH clinic dates and locations include:

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 29 at Poway Fire Station No. 1, 13050 Community Road.

• 1 to 4 p.m.a Oct. 20 at the Rancho Bernardo Joslyn Center, 18402 W. Bernardo Drive, Rancho Bernardo.

• 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 30 at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road, Poway.

• 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 5 at Living Way Church, 13609 Twin Peaks Road, Poway.

• 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6 at the 4S Ranch Street Fair, Dove Canyon Road, 4S Ranch.