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