H1N1 Vaccine Available to Everyone; Restrictions Lifted

Los Angeles County health officials announced this week that the H1N1 vaccine is now available to everyone, not just those in priority groups.

"Adequate vaccine supply has arrived in Los Angeles County, allowing providers to administer H1N1 vaccine to any patient over the age of six months for whom it is not otherwise contraindicated," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county's top public health official. "As more H1N1 vaccine becomes available through private doctors and local community health clinics, almost anyone who wants to receive the vaccine should be able to get it." 

The County is no longer holding mass vaccine clinics, so H1N1 flu shots are being offered by private physicians and by limited appointment at County public health centers. For locations and hours of public health centers, residents can visit the Los Angeles County Public Health Web site at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or call the information line at 2-1-1. 

Some pharmacies will also receive some vaccine by the end of the month and will administer it for a small fee, Fielding said. 

Fox 11 covered the story here.
Read the press release from Public Health here.


To find where to get the seasonal and/or the H1N1 flu shot, visit http://www.FluShotLA.com. 

Are you pregnant?

The CDC recently updated their H1N1 flu resource page for pregnant women.  Review their full resource page here.

The site includes: 

• What Pregnant Women Show Know about H1N1 flu & the flu shot
• Information for Pregnant Women Who Work in Education, Childcare and Healthcare Settings.
• H1N1 Flu and Feeding Your Baby

And watch the webcast that discusses issues relevant to Pregnant Women and New Moms here:

Santa-tizing Your Kids

Better watch out, better not cry, better wash your hands because Santa Clause is coming to town!  In yet another sign of the times, Santa Clause is preparing for his holiday season by reminding parents that if they want to visit him at the local mall to please make sure their children are practicing good hygiene. They've even come up with a name for it - "Santa-tizing"

It means that washing hands and using hand sanitizer in between turns with Santa is being worked into Santa routine. It is all to keep everyone healthy and safe for the holidays.

 
So, don't forget to add some extra hand sanitizer to your holiday shopping list! The full story on "Santa-tizing" is at the Los Angeles Fox 11 station here.


Today is also the final day of LA County's free H1N1 mass vaccine clinics.  Today's clinic is taking place in Lancaster at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.  Visit FluShotLA.com for details.

Obama Administration's New H1N1 Ad Campaign

Today, Flu.gov launched new public services announcements. Watch the videos here:

Los Angeles television stations covered the new PSA's in articles here:
White House Pushes Americans To Get Vaccinations - CBS 2 / KCAL
Administration Pushes H1N1 Vaccines in Ads - Fox 11

New Study Shows H1N1 Vaccine is Safe

Today, the New York Times reports on a new study from the Center for Disease Control that reaffirms that the H1N1 vaccine is safe.  It also shows that the side effects are similar to those from the seasonal flu vaccine.

The full story is at the NY Times here.

The final free H1N1 mass vaccine clinics conclude in LA County today and tomorrow:


Monday, December 7 
Wilson Sports Complex
2400 Jefferson Street
Torrance, CA 90501
11 am - 7 pm
Map It


Tuesday, December 8
Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
2551 W. Avenue H
Lancaster, CA 93536
12 pm - 7 pm
Map It


For additional H1N1 prevention information, please visit http://www.FluShotLA.com.  To find additional H1N1 vaccine locations:
Go to Google Flu Shot Finder   About Google Flu Shot Finder

Nearly 800 Californians Hospitalized with H1N1 Flu

Elena Palacios, 75, left, and Donina Gramillo, 77, wait to get flu shots at Glendale Civic Auditorium.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times / November 3, 2009)

The Los Angeles Times reports today that nearly 800 Californians were hospitalized last week due to H1N1.  State officials say it is the largest one-week number of hospitalizations since flu cases began escalating this fall.

In the week that ended Nov. 28, 794 people in California were hospitalized or had died, according to reports received by the state that week. The figures were higher than the previous week's total of 405, and topped the previous high -- 773 -- recorded for the week that ended on Halloween.

Health officials continue to urge the public to get vaccinated.  The final free H1N1 mass vaccination clinics are taking place this weekend throughout LA County.  Clinics will be held this weekend in East LA, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Downey and at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.   


The full Los Angeles Times story is here.
Find free H1N1 vaccine clinics hosted by LA County at FluShotLA.com.
For additional H1N1 flu shot locations, visit:
Go to Google Flu Shot Finder   About Google Flu Shot Finder

Upcoming Free H1N1 Flu Shot Clinics

Free H1N1 vaccine clinics are taking place at the following locations:

Friday, December 4
Santa Clarita Sports Complex & Aquatic Center
20880 Centre Pointe Pkwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
9am - 4pm

Saturday, December 5
Obregon Park - East LA
4021 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90063 
9am - 5pm


MLK Ambulatory Care Center 
12021 S. Wilmington Ave 
Los Angeles, CA 90059 
9am - 5pm


Los Angeles Valley College 
5800 Fulton Ave 
Van Nuys, CA 91401 
9am - 5pm


Downey Adult School - Harriet Payne MP Room 
12330 Woodruff Ave 
Downey, CA 90241 
9am - 4pm

Sunday, December 6
Pasadena Pasadena Rose Bowl
360 North Arroyo Blvd
Parking Lot K 
Pasadena, CA 91103 
9am - 4pm


Long Beach City College
4901 East Carson Street
Long Beach, CA 90808
9am - 4pm


Obregon Park - East LA 
4021 East 1st Street 
Los Angeles, CA 90063 
9am - 5pm


MLK Ambulatory Care Center 
12021 S. Wilmington Ave 
Los Angeles, CA 90059 
9am - 5pm


Los Angeles Valley College 
5800 Fulton Ave 
Van Nuys, CA 91401 
9am - 5pm

Monday, December 7
Torrance Wilson Park Sports Center 
2400 Jefferson St.
Torrance, CA 90501
11am - 7pm


Tuesday, December 8

Lancaster Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
2551 W. Avenue H
Lancaster, CA 93536
12pm - 7pm

For additional H1N1 vaccine clinic locations, please visit http://www.FluShotLA.com.  Alternatively:


Go to Google Flu Shot Finder   About Google Flu Shot Finder

Free H1N1 Vaccine Clinics: This Weekend

Free H1N1 vaccine clinics are taking place this weekend at the following locations:
 
Friday, November 20, 2009
Hollywood Park
1050 S. Prairie Avenue
Inglewood, CA 90301

Mona Park
2291 E. 121st Street
Compton, CA 90222

Saturday, November 21, 2009
 
Fairplex Exposition Complex
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona 91768
9 am - 5 pm

Harvard Recreation Center
1535 W. 62nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90047
9 am - 5 pm

Hollywood Park
1050 S. Prairie Avenue
Inglewood, CA 90301
9 am - 5 pm

Lincoln Park Recreation Center
3501 Valley Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90031
9 am - 5 pm
 
MacArthur Park
2230 W. 6th St.  
Los Angeles, CA 90057
9 am - 5 pm
 
Richie Valens Recreation Center
10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd
Pacoima, CA 91331
9 am - 5 pm

Sunday, November 22, 2009
 
Harvard Recreation Center
1535 W. 62nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90047
9 am - 5 pm

Lincoln Park Recreation Center
3501 Valley Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90031
9 am - 5 pm  
 
MacArthur Park
2230 W. 6th St.  
Los Angeles, CA 90057
9 am - 5 pm

Richie Valens Recreation Center
10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd
Pacoima, CA 91331
9 am - 5 pm  

Wilmington Recreation Center
325 N. Neptune Avenue
Wilmington, CA 90744
9 am - 5 pm  

For additional H1N1 vaccine clinic locations, please visit http://www.FluShotLA.com.  Alternatively:

Go to Google Flu Shot Finder   About Google Flu Shot Finder 

Sid the Science Kid Gets a Flu Shot

Today, Sid the Science Kid debuted a new special episode that helps to explain the importance of getting a flu shot. 


"In this special episode, Sid explains how vaccines work and shows millions of children what they can do to prevent the spread of the flu," said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Sid will be a great messenger as we continue to find new and creative ways to reach out to children, adults, and families about how to stay healthy during flu season."

PBS also has great interactive games about vaccination and additional information on the special episode at www.PBSKIDS.org/sid.

Santas Want H1N1 Flu Shot Priority

According to a recent story on ABC 7, the volunteer Santa at your local mall wants priority when it comes to getting an H1N1 flu shot because they are exposed to long lines of children. The Santas may get their wish since the majority of the jolly bunch may already fall into the new H1N1 priority groups based on their belly. 


Before you stand in line to visit Santa, remind your little elves at home to prevent from getting or spreading the flu with these easy tips:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Gel sanitizers are also effective.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since germs spread that way.
4. Avoid close contact with sick people.
5. Get your seasonal flu shot and for those in priority group get your H1N1 vaccine.
6. If you’re sick with the flu, stay home and rest for at least 24 hours after fever ends.


Read the Santa story at ABC 7 here.

Advice to Parents Talking to Children About H1N1 is here.
Read about obesity and H1N1 at the LA Times here.

H1N1, Asthma & Children: Checklist for Parents

USA Today's recent article warns that H1N1 and asthma can be a dire combination for children with asthma.  The story reveals:

While H1N1's effects in a healthy child can range anywhere from mild congestion and sore throat to serious respiratory illness, and even death, the 7 million American kids who have asthma are at a higher risk for complications and death if they contract the novel flu virus, says Tom Skinner of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The story also includes a Checklist for Parents of Asthmatics that includes these tips from the CDC: 

• Flu vaccine by injection is recommended by the CDC, not nasal mist. 

• Make sure you have an updated Asthma Action Plan filed at school and extra medications on hand in case doses need to be adjusted up. 

• Encourage good hand-washing.

• Even if your child gets vaccinated, the vaccines are not foolproof, so don't drop your guard. Keep child on maintenance medications and be sensitive to new or worsening symptoms. 

• Children with asthma who get H1N1 are more at risk for developing pneumonia.

• If your child goes to the hospital, make sure you have an Asthma Action Plan when you leave, including a list of all drugs to be taken. Do not skip or stop medication before prescribed time. 

The full story is available at USA Today here.

More information on H1N1 and Asthma is here.

Free H1N1 Vaccine Clinics: Wed, 11/18 & Thurs, 11/19

Free H1N1 vaccine clinics are taking place on Monday and Tuesday at the following locations:

Wednesday, November 18
Taylor Hall
1775 N. Indian Hill Blvd
Claremont, CA 91711
9 am - 5 pm

Map It 


Thursday, November 19
Salazar Park
3864 Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90023
11 am - 7 pm

Map It

For additional H1N1 vaccine clinic locations, please visit http://www.FluShotLA.com.  Alternatively:

Go to Google Flu Shot Finder   About Google Flu Shot Finder 

Free H1N1 Vaccine Clinics: Mon, 11/16 & Tues, 11/17

Free H1N1 vaccine clinics are taking place on Monday and Tuesday at the following locations:

Monday, November 16

 

Home Depot Center
18400 Avalon Blvd.
Carson, CA 90746

9am- 6pm




Tuesday, November 17

Antelope Valley Fairgrounds 

2551 W. Avenue H 

Lancaster, CA 93536 

9am-3pm 

El Monte Community Center 
3130 N. Tyler Ave. 
El Monte, CA 91731 
11am-7pm
 
Smith Park 
6016 Rosemead Blvd. 
Pico Rivera, CA 90660 
1pm-9pm


For additional H1N1 vaccine clinic locations, please visit http://www.FluShotLA.com.  Alternatively,

Go to Google Flu Shot Finder   About Google Flu Shot Finder

Free H1N1 Vaccine Clinics: This Weekend

Free H1N1 vaccine clinics are taking place this weekend at the following locations:

Saturday, November 14

9am-1:30pm	Agoura Community Center 27040 Malibu Hills Rd Calabasas 91301
9am-5pm	Baldwin Hills Rec Center 5401 Highlight Pl Los Angeles 90016
9am-5pm	Bradley-Milken Youth Center 1773 E Century Blvd Los Angeles 90002
9am-5pm	Downey Civic Theatre 8435 Firestone Blvd Downey 90241
7am-3pm	Esther Snyder Com Center 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd Baldwin Park 91706
9am-5pm	Panorama Rec Center 8600 Hazeltine Ave Panorama City 91402
9am-5pm	Sunland Rec Center 8651 Foothill Blvd Sunland 91040
9am-5pm	Westchester Rec Center 8740 Lincoln Blvd Los Angeles 90045

Sunday, November 15

9am-5pm	Almansor Park 800 S Almansor St Alhambra 91801
9am-5pm	Athens Park 12603 S Broadway Los Angeles 90061
9am-5pm	Baldwin Hills Rec Center 5401 Highlight Place Los Angeles 90016
9am-5pm	Bradley-Milken Youth Center 1773 E Century Blvd Los Angeles 90002
9am-5pm	Panorama Rec Center 8600 Hazeltine Ave Panorama City 91402
9am-5pm	Sunland Rec Center 8651 Foothill Blvd Sunland 91040
9am-5pm	Westchester Rec Center 8740 Lincoln Blvd Los Angeles 90045

For more Los Angeles area H1N1 vaccine clinic location and dates, visit http://www.FluShotLA.com.