Flu Shot Clinics set for South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County and Alpine County

Each year flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. While it is unclear what will happen this fall and winter, if there is COVID-19 and
flu at the same time, this could place a tremendous burden on our health care systems and cause many additional illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. Now more than ever, it’s important that everyone do their part to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu and COVID-19, according to Alpine County Health Officer Dr. Richard Johnson.

The single most important thing you can do to prevent serious illness is to get vaccinated, the doctor said. The flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, but has important benefits:

- It decreases your risk of getting sick, being hospitalized or dying from flu.
- It is an especially important tool for people with underlying health conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, neurologic conditions, and weakened immune systems.
- It decreases the risk of flu illness and hospitalization among pregnant women by 40%. It protects the baby from flu for several months after birth.
- It deceases the severity of illness in people who get vaccinated but still get sick.
- It protects the people around you who may be more vulnerable to flu’s serious complications.

The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division in partnership with Marshall Medical Center, El Dorado County Community Health Center and Barton Health will begin conducting low-cost community flu vaccination clinics starting on September 24, 2020, with additional clinics offered through October 2020. Seasonal influenza vaccine will be available in flu shot form at the clinics; a limited supply of FluMist® will be available for children.

“Everyone six months of age or older should get a flu vaccination each year for the best protection against the flu,” said Lynnan Svensson, El Dorado County's public health nursing program manager. “It’s especially important to vaccinate high-risk people, such as children under age five, people 65 years and older, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. It’s also critical for health care workers and people taking care of high-risk persons to be immunized. This year, with the COVID-19 virus still circulating, a timely flu vaccination will be even more important.”

The cost per vaccine is $10, but no one will be denied service due to inability to pay; cash or check accepted. Parents should bring their child’s immunization records. Face coverings and physical distancing are required at all clinic locations. Updated information on flu clinics will be posted to www.edcgov.us/publichealth and on the County Flu Hotline at (530) 621-6188.

South Lake Tahoe Community Flu Clinic Dates and Locations for 2020:
• September 24 & October 8, from to 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Senior Center, 3050 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe.
• October 1 & October 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bijou School, 3501 Spruce Avenue, in the Multipurpose Room, South Lake Tahoe
• October 8, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Tahoe Valley Elementary School, 943 Tahoe Island Drive, in the Multipurpose Room, South Lake Tahoe
• October 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the South Lake Tahoe Airport, 1901 Airport Road, South Lake Tahoe, DRIVE THRU CLINIC

For Alpine County, Are you a senior age 65 years of age or older? They now have the high dose flu vaccine available in the clinic by appointment during this COVID-19 season. Call 530-694-2146 to make an appointment to receive this vaccine specifically formulated for you in order to minimize your risk. Alpine County Health is available by appointment Monday-Friday from 8-12 and 1-5. We will bill your insurance, including Medicare. For everyone else, they expect a shipment of vaccine to arrive any day. The county's annual drive through vaccine clinic in Woodfords is scheduled for Tuesday October 13. Dates for Bear Valley and Kirkwood will be announced shortly.