San Rafael, CA – Right on schedule with El Niño, flu season is about to blow into Marin County. The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is battening down the hatches and trying to get as many residents immunized as possible.
Marin HHS is hosting a free flu shot clinic October 17 at Novato High School, courtesy of the Marin HHS Public Health Preparedness Program. The school is at 625 Arthur Street, and the clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dr. Matthew Willis, the County’s Public Health Officer, says a flu shot is the single best defense against influenza, which can lead to a lot of time missed at school or work. The flu virus can spread one day before symptoms develop and up to a week after someone becomes sick, so protect yourself, your family and friends by getting your flu shot.
Marin HHS staff and emergency medical personnel will be on hand to administer the vaccine. All County staff members are disaster service workers as well, and they are treating the Novato flu shot clinic as a “point of dispensing” to simulate an emergency need to dispense medicine to, or vaccinate, the whole community. The recent wildfires in Lake County and the 2014 earthquakes in Napa have reminded us all about the need for training and preparedness.
“Leadership plays a great role in responding to any disaster, and Health & Human Services is committed to preparing staff for emergency response,” said HHS Projects Coordinator Kristen Seatavakin. “We are looking forward to using this chance to improve the department’s ability to respond and to recognize where we may need to build larger capacity.”
The flu begins with an abrupt onset of fever, muscle aches, sore throat and cough that often make people sick enough to keep them in bed for several days. Flu can be especially dangerous for young children, seniors, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends basic steps to prevent and stop the spread of influenza and other respiratory illnesses in addition to getting the flu vaccination. These include:
- Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to those around you.
- Do not go to work when ill, particularly if you work with vulnerable populations.
- Wear a face mask when coming within six feet of a sick person.
- If you are sick, wear a facemask before going near other people.
- Restrict visitation with vulnerable populations while you are ill.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay healthy with a balanced diet, plenty of water and adequate rest and exercise.
Stay up to date with information regarding this season’s flu activity and additional options for flu vaccination by visiting www.marinflu.org.