Influenza Vaccine Offered to Seniors

Ventura County Public Health services will offer low-cost flu immunizations for seniors and other eligible individuals at various locations starting late this month.

Low-cost immunizations against the influenza viruses are available to anyone over age 60 and to people whose health is at serious risk if they get the illness.

Health-care workers and others who look after sick or elderly individuals are also eligible for low-cost immunizations through the county’s public health agency.

Health officials warned that senior citizens are more likely to have the flu evolve into serious illnesses such as pneumonia.

“It aggravates any chronic conditions that they have,” said Ventura County Public Health immunization coordinator Lin Glusac.

Disease fighting ability slows with age, preventing elderly individuals from recovering from the flu as quickly as when they were younger. This allows the disease to worsen rapidly, public health officials said.

Glusac said children with chronic health problems--such as those who have had their spleen removed, kidney failure, sickle cell anemia, asthma, leukemia or organ transplants--should also receive annual flu immunizations.

Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those on high doses of aspirin or those with HIV or AIDS, should consult their doctor before getting flu shots, Glusac said.

The vaccine for this year’s flu season will protect against three strains of influenza viruses: A/Texas, A/Nanchang and A/Harbin.

Glusac said few, if any, side effects should be experienced after this year’s immunizations because the viruses in the vaccine are already dead.

The shots will be offered by Ventura County Public Health services at locations throughout the county from Sept. 24 through Nov 18.

For dates, times and locations, call the Ventura County Public Health Department at 652-5928 in Ventura or Oxnard, or (800) 781-4449 elsewhere in the county.