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It's flu shot time for those at high risk

By Cheryl Clark
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

October 16, 2002

Flu vaccine season is under way as hundreds of people, including many seniors, line up at health centers throughout San Diego County to get shots.

Inoculations are readily available, unlike some previous years when manufacturer shortages and distribution problems caused many seniors and other high-risk people to forgo vaccines.

"This year, it looks like there's going to be plenty of shots to go around," said Sandy Ross, immunization program manager for the San Diego County Health and Human Services agency.

She expects thousands to get flu shots this week alone as many local clinics and health centers kick off their immunization campaigns.

Here, influenza season usually peaks in January or February, but the bulk of cases can begin as early as December.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta estimates that 94 million doses will be available nationally, about five million more than last year, Ross said.

The three manufacturers are sending vaccines in installments to all agencies requesting them, unlike past years when some entities that paid the highest price got supplies early while others got them later – often too late to prevent flu.

Earlier this year, a committee of CDC and other flu experts formulated this year's vaccine to include two A strains and one B strain to protect against the types of flu expected this winter.

For people without a personal physician, more than 300 clinics or senior centers offer flu shots throughout the county.

Information on locations and hours can be obtained by calling 1-877-FLU-0202; or 760-940-6886 for those in North County, or 619-236-2351 for the rest of the county.

Prices range from $2 to $7 per shot at the public clinics and senior centers, or the shots are free for some who are low-income.

Others should contact their physicians to get the shots.

Those with Internet access can get information through the Community Health Improvement Partners Web site, www.sdchip.org.

Individuals who should be vaccinated between now and November include those aged 65 or older, children between 6 and 23 months, adults and children with a chronic health condition and women who will be more than three months pregnant during flu season. Also, household contacts or care givers of people at high risk, who are more susceptible to complications from the flu.

Ross said people between 50 and 64 are also at risk, but less so. They should wait until November or December for shots.