County Flu Clinics to Start Nov. 1
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services will begin conducting free influenza shot clinics Nov. 1, two weeks later than usual because of difficulties producing vaccines against new flu strains, officials said Friday.
Nationwide, vaccines will arrive later than usual to government-funded programs, private physicians and corner drugstores after the four manufacturers of U.S. flu vaccines had trouble growing one of the three virus strains. In addition, two companies slowed production because of quality control problems.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Oct. 18, 2000 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday October 18, 2000 Home Edition Metro Part B Page 3 Metro Desk 1 inches; 31 words Type of Material: Correction
Flu shot clinics--A story Saturday about county-sponsored flu shot clinics listed an incorrect address for a Los Angeles County Web site. The correct site for clinic locations is https://www.lapublichealth.org/ip
Officials said they hope most people, especially those at high risk of developing serious complications from a bout with the flu, can be vaccinated before flu season hits.
Dr. A. Nelson El Amin, medical director for the county immunization program, said the flu season has peaked in December only four times in the last 18 years. It has peaked four times in January, seven times in February and three times in March.
“The odds are in our favor,” he said.
The county is targeting high-risk groups: people 65 and older; anyone with a chronic illness, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, a compromised immune system or kidney disease; residents of skilled nursing facilities; and pregnant women in their second or third trimester during the flu season.
Flu epidemics occur nearly every year and are responsible for an average of 20,000 deaths per year in the United States, according to the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices.
The county will hold 161 flu shot clinics in such places as senior centers, community centers, hospitals and American Red Cross facilities. The final clinic is scheduled for Dec. 6.
“We’re targeting people in high-risk groups by the location of the clinics,” said El Amin. “If a non-high-risk person comes in, we’ll go ahead and immunize them. It’s not our role to turn anyone away.”
Flu shots also will be available from private physicians, health maintenance organizations, and at various drugstores on specific days.
For more locations, call (213) 580-9800 or see the county’s Web site at www.publichealth.org/ip.
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