Influenza ("The Flu")

Esta página en español

On this page:

• Message from the Deputy Health Officer
• Where to Find a Flu Vaccine
• Who Should Get a Flu Vaccine?
• For the General Public
• For Healthcare Providers
• New Information: Vaccination for Children
• New Information: Vaccination of People with Egg Allergy
• For Specific Groups
• Resources for Health Educators

Message from the Deputy Health Officer

In the United States, yearly outbreaks of seasonal flu usually occur during the fall through early spring. Influenza or "the flu" is a serious contagious disease. As a doctor, I have seen many patients (from infants to seniors) suffer from serious flu complications. Every year in Sonoma County, flu leads to lost days at work and school, hospitalizations and even deaths.

Take the following simple actions to protect yourself and others during this flu season:

1. Get vaccinated. The best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. I urge everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine this fall. The 2011-2012 Flu vaccine protects against three types of flu.
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
3. Don't share personal items like toothbrushes, beverage bottles or cups.
4. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Protect others. If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

By protecting yourself, you are also protecting others around you from what could be a life- threatening illness. Let's all work together to make this flu season as healthy and safe as possible for everyone.

Be well,
Mark Netherda, MD
Sonoma County Deputy Health Officer

Where to Find a Flu Vaccine

This year, the seasonal flu vaccine includes protection against the same viruses* last year. But vaccine protection decreases over time, so you need to get a flu vaccination every year. Most people will be able to get one flu vaccine to protect against the major circulating flu viruses. As is always the case with seasonal vaccine, younger children who have never had a flu vaccine may need two doses.

*A-California (H1N1, A-Perth, B-Brisbane

Persons with health insurance are encouraged to get a seasonal flu shot at their health care provider's office. Kaiser members in Santa Rosa can call (707)393-4832. Kaiser members in Petaluma can call (707)765-3560.

If you have no regular health care provider, please call the community health center in your area for information about the flu shot.

Sutter VNA and Hospice offers flu shot clinics throughout the Bay Area, or call (707)535-5690.

Special Flu Vaccine Community Clinic Hours and Events in Sonoma County

Alexander Valley Regional Medical Center
6 Tarman Dr., Cloverdale
(707) 894-4229
Tuesdays and Thursdays
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Drop-in
Monday, November 14th: open until 7:00 p.m. for flu vaccinations.

Occidental Area Health Center
3802 Main St., Occidental
(707) 874-2444
Mondays
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Free/$10 dollar donation suggested
Open to adults and children.

Petaluma Health Center
11179 North McDowell Blvd., Petaluma
(707) 559-7500
Tuesdays and Thursdays
2:00 - 4:40 p.m.
Open to public.

St. Joseph Mobile Health Clinic
Call (707) 547-4612 for dates and locations.

You may also try the Google Flu Vaccine Finder. This tool is sponsored by the Department for Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It includes information about flu vaccines available at large pharmacy chains, small pharmacies, and clinics run by local and state public health agencies.

If you have questions about the seasonal flu vaccine, you can call the Sonoma County Health Information Line at (707) 565-4477, or submit your question to a disease control nurse online at Ask a Disease Control Nurse.

Who Should Get a Seasonal Flu Shot?

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it's especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.

People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the General Public

Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) and Flu Vaccine
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How to Prevent the Flu
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What To Do If You Get Sick
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2011-12 Influenza Vaccine and Vaccination Information
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For Healthcare Providers

Novel H3N2 Influenza Health Advisory December 20, 2011

Vaccination for Children
New Information: Influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday. All children 6 months through 8 years of age are recommended to receive 2 doses of 2011-12 flu vaccine 4 or more weeks apart unless they have received at least 1 dose of flu vaccine last flu season. Children who received at least one dose of the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine will need only one dose in 2011-2012. (Note that for the 2011-2012 season, the ACIP recommends that the TIV "Afluria" not be given to children younger than 9 years old, although it is approved for children aged 5 years and older.) The first dose should be given as soon as vaccine becomes available, and the second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose.

Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Regarding Use of CSL Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (Afluria) in the United States During 2010--11
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR.

Vaccination of People with Egg Allergy
New Information: For the 2011-2012 season, there is a more permissive influenza vaccination recommendation for persons with egg allergies. Based on a thorough review of several recent studies, administration of both full doses and split doses of TIV have been tolerated by people with egg allergies, without serious reactions. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends that for the 2011-2012 influenza season, people who have experienced only hives from consuming eggs can receive TIV intramuscularly as long as they are treated by a health care provider who is familiar with the potential manifestations of egg allergies and can be observed by a health care professional for at least 30 minutes after receiving each dose. The 2011 ACIP recommendations has an algorithm to help guide clinician decision-making regarding vaccination of people with egg allergy.

FIGURE: Recommendations regarding influenza vaccination for persons who report allergy to eggs
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR.

Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR.

Summary of influenza vaccination recommendations
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

TABLE. Influenza vaccine information, by age group --- United States, 2011--12 influenza season
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDPH AFL 10-35: Mandatory Reporting of Influenza Vaccination/Declination of Hospital Personnel (pdf)
Source: California Department of Public Health.

Severe Influenza Case History Form (pdf)
Source: California Department of Public Health.

Influenza Vaccination Information for Health Care Workers
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For Specific Groups

People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pregnant Women and Influenza (Flu)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Seasonal Flu Information for Businesses & Employees
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Seasonal Flu Information for Schools and Childcare Providers
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Resources for Health Educators

Flyer for Asthma Patients English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Diabetes Patients English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Families: No Flu in My House English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Families: I'll Protect My Baby English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Families: I'll Protect My Baby (Mom) Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Families with Preschool Age Children English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Healthcare Workers - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Native Americans - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for People at High Risk - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Pregnant Women English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Seniors English (pdf) | Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Seniors - Spanish (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Youth - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flyer for Youth - English (pdf)
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.