Vaccine shortage prompts cancellation of flu clinics, including one in Hemet

Inadequate supplies of vaccine will delay a number of previously scheduled flu clinics across Riverside County, health officials announced today.

Shipments of seasonal flu antivirals have fallen behind, forcing the postponement of a half-dozen flu clinics set for this month, according to the county’s Department of Public Health.
The following vaccination clinics will be rescheduled:

– Tuesday, Indio Fashion Mall, 82-227 Highway 111;
– Thursday, Simpson Senior Center in Hemet, 305 E. Devonshire Ave.;
– Nov. 16, Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley,
26520 Cactus Ave.;
– Nov. 16, Villegas Community Center in Riverside, 7240 Marguerita Ave.;
– Nov. 18, Mead Valley Community Center, 21021 Rider St.;
– Nov. 18, Bordwell Park in Riverside, 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Meanwhile, shipments of H1N1 “swine flu” vaccines are trickling into the county as overseas producers scramble to catch up with demand, according to health officials.

“We are placing the vaccine in clinics as soon as it becomes available,” said Riverside County Health Officer Dr. Eric Frykman. “We want to vaccinate as many people as possible and will do so as additional vaccine becomes available.”

Health officials encouraged residents to contact their medical providers about getting immunized.

Officials said priority for the nasal spray vaccine is being given to children ages 2 to 12. Injectable H1N1 immunizations are dispensed first to pregnant women, individuals with pre-existing health disorders and residents who work around children, according to health officials.

Residents with questions about the swine flu virus and where to go for shots can call the county’s 211 information hotline, or visit http://www.rivcoph.org.

Some 1,424 confirmed and probable cases of the H1N1 virus have been reported in the county since April, and 18 people have died from complications, according to health officials.

Symptoms of H1N1 resemble seasonal influenza, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Health officials recommended people take the following precautions to prevent flu transmission:
– frequent hand-washing;
– covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; and
– properly disposing of used tissues.
Anyone with questions or concerns about the flu can contact the
California Department of Public Health’s Influenza Hotline at 888-865-0564.

Tags: Department of Public Health, Riverside County, Riverside County Health Officer Dr. Eric Frykman, SWRNN

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