Free flu shots available at the Health Care Agency’s Family Health Clinic

For Immediate Release: December 15, 2014

Contact: Nicole Stanfield nstanfield@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

Get a Flu Vaccination for a Healthy Holiday Season

(Santa Ana) – Influenza activity has begun to increase in Orange County. The Orange County Health Care Agency reminds people that the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. Peak flu season has not yet arrived and it is not too late to vaccinate.

Influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, and is especially important for infants, young children, pregnant women, adults over 50, and for those with chronic medical conditions. Flu vaccines protect against three viruses which commonly cause disease each year: influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B viruses. While there have been reports nationally of influenza H3N2 strains causing illness that are drifted from the vaccine strain, this is just one of multiple influenza viruses seen so far this season. In situations when there is an imperfect match to one virus, vaccination provides protection against other strains which may be circulating.

Flu vaccine is widely available from medical providers throughout Orange County or you can find a local flu vaccine provider at www.flushot.healthmap.org.

Information about locations and dates of other community sites offering free flu vaccine is available at www.ochealthinfo.com/flu. If a person does not have a medical provider, or does not have health insurance coverage, free flu shots are also available through the Health Care Agency’s Family Health Clinic located at 1725 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana on the days listed below. For information about the County’s flu shot program, please call the HCA Health Referral Line at 1-800-564-8448 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/flu.

Every Thursday from 8:00am – 4:00pm (no appointment is needed) (closed for lunch from 11:45am- 12:45pm)

In addition to getting vaccinated, it’s important to practice good hand washing and other good health habits. People who are ill should take actions to stop the spread of germs:

• Stay home if you are sick
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

For more information about seasonal influenza please visit the Health Care Agency’s website www.ochealthinfo.com/flu or the Centers for Disease Control website www.cdc.gov/flu
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