RULES FOR FLU SHOTS EASED COUNTY OBTAINS MORE SUPPLIES.

Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer

Los Angeles County health officials said Wednesday that they've received more supplies of flu vaccine and have relaxed guidelines so people 50 and older can receive it.

As a result of a nationwide shortage of the vaccine, only senior citizens, in-home caregivers and other high-risk groups have been able to receive the vaccine. The new guidelines lower the age requirement and also allow the vaccine for out-of-home caregivers, emergency services personnel and individuals who have regular contact with high-risk people.

In addition, private providers can now order vaccine for their patients, and physicians can provide vaccine to anyone in the more broadly defined at-risk groups.

``With the expansion of the priority groups, the health department and private physicians will be able to provide flu vaccination to a larger group of those at risk,'' said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county public health officer.

Although only sporadic cases of the flu have been reported in the county, health officials emphasized it is still early in the flu season and that influenza could increase in the next month or two.

A public health order issued in October by Dr. Richard Joseph Jackson, state public health officer, directed health-care providers to reserve flu vaccine for senior citizens and other high-risk groups because of a nationwide shortage of the vaccine.

``While our first priority continues to be ensuring the availability of flu shots for seniors and those at highest risk for complications from the flu, we have the opportunity to vaccinate more people,'' Jackson said. ``Eligible Californians should not wait. They should seek a flu vaccination as soon as possible.

``Now is the time to vaccinate against the flu. Flu season in California typically peaks around Christmas and continues through the early months of the new year.''

Others who can get flu shots include people between the ages of 18 and 64 with underlying chronic medical conditions, all women planning to be pregnant during flu season, residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities and health care workers with direct patient contact.

The state health department has shipped more than 821,600 doses to local health departments for distribution. In addition, private providers have recently ordered 369,910 doses.

Troy Anderson, [phone]

troy.anderson(at)dailynews.com

VACCINES AVAILABLE

Flu vaccine is available to high-risk groups on weekdays at the Antelope Valley Health Clinic, 335-B East Avenue K-6, [phone]; the Glendale Health Clinic, 501 N. Glendale Ave., [phone]; the Pacoima Health Center, 13300 Van Nuys Blvd., [phone]; and the North Hollywood Health Center, 5300 Tujunga Ave., [phone].

For a complete list of county flu clinics, go to dailynews.com.

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VACCINES AVAILABLE (see text)