PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kaiser Permanente Southern California seasonal flu clinics open regionwide this Saturday, September 24th and members are reminded that flu shots are available to them at no cost. Getting a flu vaccine is the most important step everyone can take to stay well and protect themselves and their loved ones against the influenza virus.
“The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, hospitalizations and, in some cases, even lead to death,” said Margaret Khoury, MD, pediatric infectious disease specialist and regional lead of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Flu Vaccination Program. “It’s important that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available in their area. While children, pregnant women and the elderly are more at risk for complications from the flu, it can be just as serious for healthy young adults.”
This flu season, Kaiser Permanente is following the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and not offering FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine. Only injectable flu shots will be given this season.
“Over the past 3 years, research has shown that the influenza vaccine given as an injection provides greater protection against the flu than the nasal spray flu vaccine, not only lowering the risk of catching the flu, but also of passing it on to others,” added Khoury. “We understand that needles can be scary, especially for children. But a little discomfort now is better than being very sick later.”
According to the CDC, during the 2015-2016 flu season, influenza activity began later than usual and continued for a longer period, peaking in mid-March. Last year’s flu vaccine was a good match for circulating viruses and both the cumulative hospitalization rate and the number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths were lower than those for the previous three seasons.
Because it can take up to two weeks for your body to develop immunity, it is important to vaccinate as early in the season as possible. Early vaccination will provide protection throughout the influenza season and into the spring.
In addition to the opening of all walk-in clinics region-wide, several Kaiser Permanente Southern California facilities will hold drive-through flu shot clinics. These include:
Carson Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 18600 S Figueroa St., Gardena, CA 90248
Garden Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 9353 Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242
Lancaster Medical Offices, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 43112 15th St. West, Lancaster, CA 93534
Normandie North Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 25965 S. Normandie Ave., Harbor City, CA 90710
Ontario Vineyard Medical Offices, 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 2295 S. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91761
Palmdale Medical Offices, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 4502 E. Ave. S, Palmdale, CA 93552
Torrance Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 20790 Madrona Ave., Torrance, CA 90503
For a complete list of clinic locations and times, and for more information about preventing or treating the flu, visit www.kp.org/flu.
About Kaiser Permanente Southern California
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 4.2 million members in Southern California. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information follow us on twitter; @KPSCALNews or go to: http://share.kp.org/scal.
