FLU SHOTS STILL RECOMMENDED.Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - Health officials are reminding parents of infants and those who are at high risk that it's not too late to get flu shots, even though Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, is experiencing a mild season. Though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agency of the U.S. Public Health Service since 1973, with headquarters in Atlanta; it was established in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center. had restricted the use of the vaccine to high-risk populations earlier in the season because of an anticipated shortage, the agency, along with local public health service providers, expanded eligibility, making it more available to those who may still want one. The flu season
``We had so many difficulties early on, but we certainly don't want people to forget,'' said Debra Rosen, director of public health programs and services for the Northeast Valley Health Corp., which runs a clinic in Valencia. Rosen said health experts at several Northeast Valley clinics are reminding parents of children, 6 months to 23 months, that their babies are still at high risk and need two doses one month apart for the vaccine to truly be effective. The doses will be available through June 30, she said. ``We're really focusing on children that have never received a flu vaccine The flu vaccine is a vaccine to protect against the highly variable influenza virus. The annual flu kills an estimated 36,000 people in the United States. ,'' she said. ``It takes two to three weeks for the shot to take effect.'' Last month, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) in Los Angeles County's department providing public and personal health services to the over 10 million residents in the County. expanded the eligibility for flu vaccine. ``This is good news for many Los Angeles County residents who were previously ineligible to receive flu vaccine,'' Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county's director of public health, said in a statement. ``The influenza season usually extends through March, so it's not too late to get a flu shot, whether you are newly eligible or in a high-risk group high-risk group Epidemiology A group of people in the community with a higher-than-expected risk for developing a particular disease, which may be defined on a measurable parameter–eg, an inherited genetic defect, physical attribute, lifestyle, habit, .'' Some of those still encouraged to receive a vaccine include: - Adults 50 and older - Those 2 to 64 with underlying chronic medical conditions - Women who will be pregnant during the flu season. Local physicians report only sporadic cases of the flu. ``It has not been a bad year,'' said Dr. Larry Sherman, chairman of pediatrics for Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. ``We haven't had a problem.'' Health officials also emphasize that other measures can still be taken to help reduce transmission of the flu and other respiratory diseases, including washing of hands, especially before and after meals, before and after caring for someone who is ill and after using the restroom, and covering the mouth and nose when sneezing To verbally tell somebody about a new and interesting Web site. See viral marketing. or coughing, and staying at home when one is ill with a cold or the flu. Last year, a wave of flu and respiratory illness spread nationwide at a faster, earlier rate than expected, causing a flood of patients in area emergency departments as early as mid-November. For information about the flu, contact the county Department of Health Services Department of Health Services may refer to:
Susan Abram, (661) 257-5255 susan.abram(at)dailynews.com |
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