VACCINE VETERANS FLU SHOTS GIVEN TO HIGH-RISK RESIDENTS.

Byline: Susan Abram and Amy Raisin Darvish Staff Writers

NEWHALL - At least 150 people, most of them elderly, showed up at the Santa Clarita Senior Center for flu vaccinations Saturday, the first of two flu shot clinics scheduled at the center.

With 500 vaccines available, volunteers from the Senior Center, the Red Cross and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services welcomed a steady stream of people who showed up for the shots.

The Santa Clarita clinic was one of 16 across the county Saturday, with more clinics scheduled next Saturday.

Evelyn Lariviere, 87, said she has received a flu shot every year since she moved to California in 1953.

``I guess it works, because I never get the flu,'' the Friendly Valley resident said. ``It's so important, especially for (elderly) people. As we get older, our bodies deteriorate and we can't fight off these illnesses as well.''

The state made more than 60,000 doses of the vaccine available to Los Angeles County in late October. But because of the nationwide shortage of flu vaccine this season, the flu shots are intended for those who are at high risk for serious complications from the flu.

On Friday, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services reported that additional flu shots would be made available from the state.

Health officials said that although the total amount is not known, the supply will add to the number of doses already received by the county.

``We are making plans for distribution of the additional vaccine for administration to the groups at highest risk,'' Jonathan Fielding, director of public health for the county, said in a statement. ``If the vaccine is received in the next week, we anticipate having additional flu clinics as early as Nov. 23, and will announce the sites as soon as they are finalized.''

Earlier last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced plans to distribute the remaining 10.3 million doses of the influenza vaccine to state health departments. The vaccine is expected to be distributed into January.

County officials emphasized it is early in the vaccination season. In Los Angeles County, influenza activity is most commonly seen in mid- to late December.

One case was reported in Los Angeles County earlier this month and there is no evidence of widespread influenza activity, health officials said.

Health officials emphasize that other measures can be taken to help reduce transmission of the flu and other respiratory diseases, including hand washing, 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 or coughing, and staying at home when one is ill with a cold or the flu.

``At this point in time, no states are reporting widespread flu activity,'' CDC director Dr. Julie Gerberding said this past week to health officials. ``Flu is present in 29 states, but what we're seeing right now is well within normal for this time of year, and we're certainly not seeing the kind of widespread activity that we saw at the same time last year.''

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.

But this year, it's anyone's guess as to when or if it will be a mild or severe season.

``All is quiet,'' said Dr. Laurene Mascola, director for the Acute Communicative Disease Unit for the county's Health Services Department. ``There is no new information. We're not seeing what we saw last year.''

Amy Raisin Darvish, [phone]

amy.raisin(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Glen Telfer, 84, gets his flu shot from registered nurse Ceceil Soriano at a clinic at the Santa Clarita Senior Center. At least 150 people reported to the center Saturday to obtain the shots. Shots were given at 16 sites throughout the county.

(2 -- color) To get a flu shot, people had to prove they were over 65 or had other health issues that made them high-risk patients.

Joel P. Lugavere/Special to the Daily News