Vaccination: Your Best Defense Against the Flu
Seasonal flu clinics open throughout Southern California this
Saturday, September 24th
PASADENA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kaiser Permanente Southern California seasonal flu clinics open
regionwide this Saturday, September 24th and members are
reminded that flu shots are available to them at no cost. Getting a flu
vaccine is the most important step everyone can take to stay well
and protect themselves and their loved ones against the influenza
virus.
“The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause
serious complications, hospitalizations and, in some cases, even lead to
death,” said Margaret
Khoury, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist and regional
lead of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Flu Vaccination
Program. “It’s important that everyone 6 months of age and older get a
flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their area. While
children, pregnant women and the elderly are more at risk for
complications from the flu, it can be just as serious for healthy young
adults.”
This flu season, Kaiser Permanente is following the recommendation of
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and not offering FluMist, the
nasal spray flu vaccine. Only injectable flu shots will be given this
season.
“Over the past 3 years, research has shown that the influenza vaccine
given as an injection provides greater protection against the flu than
the nasal spray flu vaccine, not only lowering the risk of catching the
flu, but also of passing it on to others,” added Khoury. “We understand
that needles can be scary, especially for children. But a little
discomfort now is better than being very sick later.”
According to the CDC, during the 2015-2016 flu season, influenza
activity began later than usual and continued for a longer period,
peaking in mid-March. Last year’s flu vaccine was a good match for
circulating viruses and both the cumulative hospitalization rate and the
number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths were lower than those
for the previous three seasons.
Because it can take up to two weeks for your body to develop immunity,
it is important to vaccinate as early in the season as possible. Early
vaccination will provide protection throughout the influenza season and
into the spring.
In addition to the opening of all walk-in clinics region-wide, several
Kaiser Permanente Southern California facilities will hold drive-through
flu shot clinics. These include:
Carson Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 18600 S Figueroa St.,
Gardena, CA 90248
Garden Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 9353 Imperial Highway,
Downey, CA 90242
Lancaster Medical Offices, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 43112 15th St. West,
Lancaster, CA 93534
Normandie North Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 25965 S.
Normandie Ave., Harbor City, CA 90710
Ontario Vineyard Medical Offices, 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 2295 S. Vineyard
Ave., Ontario, CA 91761
Palmdale Medical Offices, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 4502 E. Ave. S, Palmdale,
CA 93552
Torrance Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 20790 Madrona Ave.,
Torrance, CA 90503
For a complete list of clinic locations and times, and for more
information about preventing or treating the flu, visit www.kp.org/flu.
About Kaiser Permanente Southern California
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health
care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care
providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission
is to provide high quality, affordable health care services to improve
the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently
serve more than 4.2 million members in Southern California. Care for
members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by
their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our
expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by
industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion,
disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class
chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care
innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of
community health. For more information follow us on twitter; @KPSCALNews or
go to: http://share.kp.org/scal.
Contacts
Kaiser Permanente
Southern California Region
Mayra
Suarez
Office: 626-405-2652
Mobile: 310-710-8479
mayra.suarez@kp.org
