CHILDREN GET SHOTS FOR FREE : CLINICS' VACCINATIONS WILL CONTINUE FOR 10 WEEKS.

Byline: Steven J. Gorman Daily News Staff Writer

Sitting in her father's lap at the health clinic Saturday, 5-year-old Josette Gentile was chipper as she gulped down the cherry-flavored oral polio vaccine.

Next came the tuberculosis test, but Josette managed to keep her composure while the nurse pricked up a tiny bubble of skin on her forearm.

``Owwwh! stop,'' she said, wincing, as her father, Rocky of Chatsworth, held her tight.

In the end, it was the diphtheria shot that brought tears.

``No, no! Daddy, Daddy,'' she cried.

A second later it was over. Josette, a bit shaken but calm again, was caught up on her immunizations.

``That's it,'' her father said. ``That wasn't so bad.''

Josette was one of the youngsters who showed up at the Friendly Hills Medical Group Health Care Center on Winnetka Avenue for the debut of free vaccinations.

The center is one of 175 public and private health-care facilities countywide participating in the ``Team Immunize'' program sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

The program will continue at no charge on a walk-in basis over the next 10 weeks.

Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays and 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Oct. 31.

The program is aimed at rapidly boosting vaccination levels for all children.

An estimated 250,000 to 300,000 children in Los Angeles are believed to be less than fully immunized against such diseases as polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and hepatitis B, county health authorities say.

The consequences of leaving children unprotected can be devastating.

During the last measles epidemic, which struck in 1989 through 1991, there were an estimated 20,000 measles cases in which nearly 2,000 individuals were hospitalized and 38 died in Los Angeles County.

Virtually all of these cases could have been prevented through immunization, county health officials say.

Although youngsters must be vaccinated before entering school, many parents are unaware their children need shots earlier: 15 shots by age 2 to be fully protected, health officials say.

``I think there is a problem with them understanding how important it really is, and that's part of our job, doing the education when they come in,'' said Diane Lynch, the Friendly Hills Medical Group manager for the San Fernando Valley.

Lynch said the cost of vaccines and a lack of health insurance also have been obstacles to vaccinations in many Valley families.

Luz Marina brought in her 14-year-old son, Giovanni Ruiz, as well as her 4-year-old daughter, Michelle Ruiz.

``I'm in trouble,'' Giovanni joked as he learned he was getting three shots.

Giovanni, who will enter ninth grade at Granada Hills High School this fall, took his shots in stride, not even flinching as the needle pierced his arm.

``I just looked the other way, and I could barely feel it,'' he said.

Turnout was less than expected Saturday at both the Canoga Park facility and a Friendly Hills clinic in North Hollywood, but officials said they expect greater interest as word about the program spreads.

IMMUNIZATIONS

WHAT: ``Team Immunize'' program sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services offers free vaccinations and TB tests for children.

WHERE: Public and private health care facilities countywide.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays and 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Oct. 31.

INFORMATION: For details about hours and locations for free immunizations, call [phone].

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Box: IMMUNIZATIONS (see text)