More Flu Vaccine Finally Arrives; County Schedules Five Big Clinics

Hoping to make up for lost time, Orange County health officials said Wednesday that they will distribute 20,000 new doses of flu vaccine at five large-scale clinics beginning Friday.

Forced to cancel 100 small clinics this month because of nationwide distribution problems, the county is taking a faster, broader approach to vaccinate the elderly and others who need protection before flu season arrives in December.

One clinic will be held Friday in Irvine, three Saturday in Fountain Valley, La Palma and Fullerton, and one Tuesday in Mission Viejo. The vaccinations will be limited to those age 60 and older and others with chronic medical conditions.

In addition to the clinics, the county’s health agency also will administer shots at its public health center in Santa Ana, beginning Monday and continuing until the latest shipment from the state is exhausted.

“We’re hopeful we’ll get through to the holidays,” said Mary Wright, a county immunization coordinator.

The county, which ordered 100,000 doses from the state Department of Health Services this year, has now received half of that amount and remains optimistic it will get the balance in time to vaccinate the most vulnerable.

The five clinics will be held according to the following schedule:

Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., during the Irvine Senior Services Health Expo, at the Lakeview Senior Center, 20 Lake Road, Irvine. Saturday: 9 a.m. to noon, St. Jude’s Senior Services, 1847 Sunnycrest Drive, Fullerton; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center, 17100 Euclid, Fountain Valley; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, 7901 Walker, La Palma. Tuesday: 9 a.m. to noon, Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center, 27700 Medical Center Road, Mission Viejo.