Clinics Will Offer Flu Shots to Those at Risk

Los Angeles County revealed the locations of 17 clinics that will distribute 40,000 doses of flu vaccine to high-risk patients later this month.

The announcement comes a day after health officials learned of the first reported case of influenza in the county -- a man on the Westside who contracted a mild form of the virus and did not require hospitalization.

“It doesn’t tell us how severe the flu season will be,” said county Public Health Director Jonathan Fielding.

The clinics will open at 9 a.m. on Nov. 13 and 20 and will offer between 500 and 1,500 doses per site. Nurses will screen people to ensure they fall into the high-risk categories, which include people 65 and older, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. Such people are more likely to develop serious complications from the flu.

A list of clinic locations accompanies this article and can be found online at www.lapublic health.org or by calling (800) 427-8700.

Children ages 6 to 23 months are also considered high risk, but are encouraged to seek shots at the county’s public health centers, where 16,900 doses of vaccine have been reserved for them, Fielding said.

The upcoming clinics are encouraged for high-risk individuals who could not obtain a flu shot from their private doctors. The shots will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Local police or sheriff’s deputies will be on hand to ensure order, Fielding said.

The doses are part of a batch recently distributed by the federal government. The nation’s flu vaccine supply was cut in half last month after British regulators suspended the license of a Chiron Corp. pharmaceutical plant in Liverpool because of possible contamination.

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department had expected 160,000 doses of vaccine this year, but will probably end up with 90,000, Fielding said.

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Flu clinics

Here is a list of county flu-shot clinics to be held Nov. 13 and Nov. 20. The clinics will open at 9 a.m. both days and continue operating while supplies last. Those receiving the vaccine must be able to prove they fall into high-risk categories.

Verdugo Job Center, 1522 S. Central Ave., Glendale

* North Hollywood Health Center, 5300 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood

* Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, 22900 Market St., Newhall

* ONE Generation, 18255 Victory Blvd., Reseda

* Monrovia Community Center, 119 W. Palm Ave., Monrovia

* Pomona Health Center, 750 S. Park Ave., Pomona

* Central Health Center, 241 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles

* Hollywood-Wilshire Health Center, 5205 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles

* Venice Family Clinic, 2509 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica

* Ruth Temple Health Center, 3834 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles

* South Health Center, 1522 E. 102 St., Los Angeles

* Adventure County Park, Main Hall, 10130 S. Gunn Ave., Whittier

* South Gate Park, 4900 Southern Ave., South Gate

* Curtis Tucker Health Center, 123 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood

* Torrance Health Center, 711 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance

On Nov. 13, a clinic will be held at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 East Ave. Q-12.

On Nov. 20, a clinic will be held at the Antelope Valley Senior Center, 777 W. Jackman St., Lancaster.

Los Angeles Times