Flu Shots Resume as Vaccine Arrives

Nearly 500 people lined up around the block to receive the long-awaited vaccine at Ojai Community Hospital’s flu clinic Friday.

The remainder of the allotted 1,200 doses will be available to those at high risk from the flu today from 9 to 11 a.m. at the hospital, at Church Road and Mariposa Highway in Ojai.

Meanwhile, Santa Paula Memorial Hospital opened a flu clinic Friday but received a much smaller turnout.

“Only about 150 people received the vaccine. That’s fewer than our normal number. There were no lines and there was no waiting,” said nurse Sue Finley, who oversees the Santa Paula clinic.

The clinic will give shots today from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the hospital’s conference room, 825 N. 10th St.

Because of manufacturers’ delays, flu shots have been dispensed sporadically throughout Ventura County and elsewhere this season. But Ventura County Public Health Department officials received another shipment of flu vaccine earlier this week from the state Department of Health Services’ immunization branch. The county agency gave the vaccine to community hospitals for public distribution.

“It is not too late to receive flu shots,” said Dr. Robert Levin, the county’s public health officer.

The vaccine is available at public health centers during regularly scheduled hours for those at high risk from the flu, although the Santa Paula clinic has expanded its vaccinations to those who are not considered high risk.

People 60 or older, younger people with chronic diseases--such as asthma, diabetes and heart conditions--and women in their second and third trimester of pregnancy are considered at greatest risk.

Additional clinics are being offered throughout the county:

Los Robles Regional Medical Center has 2,000 doses to dispense today from 9 a.m. to noon at the center, 2190 Lynn Road, Thousand Oaks. The free vaccine will be offered to healthy people 65 and older and those over 18 with a serious medical condition.

St. John’s Regional Medical Center will hold a flu clinic Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Ventura County Council on Aging, 4917 Rose Ave., Oxnard.

Additional clinics will take place Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 Burnley; and Dec. 13 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Santa Clara Church Hall, 323 E St., Oxnard.