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Jim Grant / Tahoe Daily Tribune / Eileen Brilliant, right, gets her flu shot from Ann Truscott at the Barton Hospital flu clinic held at the ice arena last Thursday.
Just because your Thanksgiving turkey is a thing of the past does not mean that the flu vaccine season is behind us.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated Nov. 27 through Dec. 3 as National Influenza Vaccination Week, and urged health care providers to make flu vaccine available to patients and employees through December and beyond.
Barton HealthCare System still has two flu clinics available for folks to get both flu and pneumonia vaccines. The dates are Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon and Dec. 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The clinics take place at the South Lake Tahoe ice arena. Flu shots are $20. Pneumonia shots, which last at least five years, are $30.
"Interest in getting a flu vaccination has traditionally tapered off after Thanksgiving," said Ann Truscott, R.N. in Barton's Occupational Medicine.
"Since flu activity typically peaks around January and February, December is still a good time to be vaccinated. It does take about two weeks to build immunity," Truscott said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated Nov. 27 through Dec. 3 as National Influenza Vaccination Week, and urged health care providers to make flu vaccine available to patients and employees through December and beyond.
Barton HealthCare System still has two flu clinics available for folks to get both flu and pneumonia vaccines. The dates are Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon and Dec. 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The clinics take place at the South Lake Tahoe ice arena. Flu shots are $20. Pneumonia shots, which last at least five years, are $30.
"Interest in getting a flu vaccination has traditionally tapered off after Thanksgiving," said Ann Truscott, R.N. in Barton's Occupational Medicine.
"Since flu activity typically peaks around January and February, December is still a good time to be vaccinated. It does take about two weeks to build immunity," Truscott said.
Flu vaccine makers expected to produce 110 million to 115 million doses this year, 32 million more than in any past flu season.
Just about everyone is encouraged to get the flu vaccine with some exceptions.
"Anyone who is allergic to eggs or has a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome should not be vaccinated," said Truscott. "Or if they are currently sick or if they are allergic to gentamicin sulfate (an antibiotic) or formaldehyde they shouldn't get the vaccine."
If someone misses the two remaining flu clinics they still have options.
"If they are from the community they could try Longs or Raley's or they can always call Occ/Med and we could arrange for them to come in here and the prices would be the same as our clinic or their family physician would be another resource," she said.
Just about everyone is encouraged to get the flu vaccine with some exceptions.
"Anyone who is allergic to eggs or has a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome should not be vaccinated," said Truscott. "Or if they are currently sick or if they are allergic to gentamicin sulfate (an antibiotic) or formaldehyde they shouldn't get the vaccine."
If someone misses the two remaining flu clinics they still have options.
"If they are from the community they could try Longs or Raley's or they can always call Occ/Med and we could arrange for them to come in here and the prices would be the same as our clinic or their family physician would be another resource," she said.
While previous years have seen shortages, Barton has plenty of vaccine and is experiencing no shortage.
For details call (530) 543-5882.
For details call (530) 543-5882.
If you go
What: Barton HealthCare flu clinics
When: Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon and Dec. 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: South Lake Tahoe ice arena
Cost: Flu shots are $20; pneumonia shots, which last at least five years, are $30.
What: Barton HealthCare flu clinics
When: Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon and Dec. 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: South Lake Tahoe ice arena
Cost: Flu shots are $20; pneumonia shots, which last at least five years, are $30.
