San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) will provide seasonal influenza vaccinations free of charge on Monday, October 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (or until supplies run out), at two community sites in Stockton: Delta College in Upper Danner Hall and downtown, next to the Stockton WorkNet office on South Lincoln Street. These special flu vaccine clinics are open to everyone, 3 years of age and older. They are “walk-in” clinics and no appointment is required.
Those who do not have health insurance and those at highest risk of complications from the flu, including pregnant women and persons with long term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illness, are especially encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Flu vaccination is also important for people who live with or care for people at high risk for influenza-related complications, and for anyone caring for newborns.
In addition to providing a valuable health service, these clinics will serve as a realtime exercise of the emergency response plans for any future occurrence that would require mass public vaccination. In the event of a large-scale public health emergency, PHS may have to distribute medication or vaccine to one or more communities within San Joaquin County to protect the general public from biological threats or epidemics. One method of doing this is to hold a mass dispensing clinic at a strategic location in the community.
Public Health Services Emergency Preparedness Program, in collaboration with community partners and volunteers, will conduct two community flu vaccination clinics on the same day and at the same time, at the following locations in Stockton:
1) Delta College in “Upper Danner Hall” at 5151 Pacific Avenue, and;
2) Downtown - next to the Stockton WorkNet office on the corner of South Lincoln and West Washington Streets.
San Joaquin County Public Health Services will also continue to provide flu vaccine during its regular immunization clinic hours, for people of all ages who do not have a regular source of medical care that provides influenza vaccine. The fee is $17; however, no one will be denied services due to inability to pay. Please call (209) 468-3830 or visit www.sjcphs.org for clinic days and hours. Seasonal influenza vaccine is also available through various sources in the community, including doctor’s offices, neighborhood pharmacies, grocery stores, and at some work sites. To find immunization clinic sites that are convenient for you, log onto http://vaccine.healthmap.org/.
In addition to getting an annual flu shot, the public is reminded to follow basic infection control measures. These include covering your coughs and sneezes, frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick people and staying home if you are sick.