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El Dorado County Opens H1N1 Vaccination Clinics for Everyone
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The El Dorado County Health Services Department, Public Health Division announced today that upcoming H1N1 (swine) flu vaccination clinics scheduled for the month of December will be open to all El Dorado County residents.  El Dorado County Health Officer, Dr. Olivia Kasirye is also advising local physicians in the community, who have been focused on vaccinating high risk individuals over the past several weeks, that they may now offer the vaccine more broadly to their patients who want it. 

“Individuals who have been waiting to get the H1N1 flu vaccine should now check with their health care provider to see about getting the vaccine,” said Dr. Kasirye.  The El Dorado County Health Services Department is also sponsoring a series of community flu shot clinics offering the H1N1 vaccine for the general public.  There is no cost to receive the vaccine.  The vaccine will be administered subject to availability.  The upcoming H1N1 vaccination clinic dates and locations include:

• Dec. 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, in the Organ Room.
• Dec. 17 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lake Tahoe Community College, One College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, in the Board Room/Aspen Room.  (The South Lake Tahoe clinic is co-hosted by the Health Services Department, Barton Health, Lake Tahoe Unified School District and Lake Tahoe Community College.) 

“Although the H1N1 vaccination clinics are open to everyone, we encourage those who are at high risk, and who have not yet been vaccinated, to come,” said Dr. Kasirye.  Additional community H1N1 flu shot clinics will be scheduled as more vaccine becomes available.  Dates and locations of those vaccination clinics will be posted to the County’s website and through local media as soon as that information is available.

The H1N1 flu vaccine is made using the same manufacturing methods as those used to make the seasonal flu vaccine.  There are some individuals, such as those people who are severely allergic to eggs and infants under the age of six months, who should not receive the H1N1 vaccine.  Individuals who are not sure if they should receive the vaccine should consult with their health care provider.  Detailed information about the H1N1 vaccine can be found at www.flu.gov.

Primary symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu include fever of 100 degrees or higher, with cough.  People with flu symptoms should stay home from work or school until their fever has been gone for at least 24 hours. Individuals with severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or dehydration from vomiting and/or diarrhea, should seek medical advice.  Pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions (such as a respiratory condition, immune disorder, or diabetes) should seek early medical care if they get the flu.

Updated local information on H1N1 (swine) flu can be found at www.edcgov.us/publichealth.