H1N1 vaccines arriving Oct. 27

DOWNEY - Free H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines and FluMist nasal spray will be available at the Downey Theatre on Oct. 27 from 1-9 p.m., health officials have announced.The clinic layout will be similar to the seasonal flu-shot clinic held last month in the same location. The clinic is open to residents who live in and around Downey. The clinic will not open early, so attendees are not encouraged to arrive excessively early. Attendees should know there may be waits for their vaccinations and should be prepared to stand for a period of time. There will be congestion in the Civic Center area on the afternoon and evening of this event. Residents should avoid the area if they will not be getting a vaccination. Vaccines will be given to a priority group, including pregnant women, people living with or caring for infants under six months of age, emergency medical service workers, health care workers, children and young adults from six months through 24 years, and all adults with chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes or weakened immune systems. Health care professionals recommend children under the age of 11 receive two vaccinations over the course of three weeks. Additional H1N1 flu-shot clinics will be held in Downey on Nov. 14 and Dec. 5. The H1N1 vaccine will be available in different forms, including injectable flu shots, FluMist nasal spray and thimerasol-free vaccine. People with a severe allergy to chicken eggs, who have suffered a severe reaction to influenza vaccination in the past or who suffer from Guillain-Barre syndrome should consult a doctor before receiving an H1N1 vaccination. People with an illness should wait until they are fully recovered before receiving a vaccine. Side effects from the H1N1 flu shot may include aches or pain, a minor fever and swelling where the shot was given. The nasal spray may cause a runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches or fever. Since the spring, 57 deaths in Los Angeles County have been attributed to swine flu. Planning meetings are being held this week and next for the event. Some operational issues are subject to change. A final article with the most accurate information and a map will be in next week's Patriot. Mark Sauter, deputy city manager for emergency preparedness, contributed to this report.

********** Published: October 16, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 26