Flu Vaccine Eligibility Expands In Orange County

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency announced today that they will offer flu vaccine to include priority groups consistent with the new recommendations by the State’s Public Health Officer.  The new priority groups include adults 50 years or older, out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of persons at high-risk for influenza complications, and emergency personnel, including medical, fire and law enforcement. 

 Orange County locations for flu vaccine include:

• Cypress Senior Center, 9031 Grindlay Street, Cypress, on December 21, from 9 a.m. to noon

• Many private physicians recently purchased 30,000 doses of flu vaccine that are now available to the new eligibility categories.  Call your physician to see if they have flu vaccine available.

• For public health and community clinic locations and times, please call the Health Care Agency’s Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448.

• Parents of children in high-risk categories should check with their children’s doctor or call the Health Care Agency’s Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448.  High risk children as defined by the CDC include those from 6 to 23 months old; children who are household contacts with babies less than 6 months old; children 2 – 18 years of age with chronic medical conditions or who are on long-term aspirin therapy.

This year, it will be very important to stay healthy during the flu season. Some helpful tips include wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, eat healthy foods, exercise, make sure you drink enough water and get plenty of rest. If you begin to feel sick:

• Stay home from work or school and get plenty of rest.

• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Properly dispose of used tissues and wash your hands afterwards.

• Drink lots of liquids.

• Avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco.

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