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Sacramento County Offering
Flu Shots Only at Area Clinics

By Daniel Dullum
Spectrum staff writer

With the 2002 flu season around the corner, the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services assures area seniors that influenza shots will again be available on time and at a low cost.

Unfortunately, due to a rise in the cost of pneumonia and tetanus vaccine, the county is unable to provide those particular shots as it has in the past at its immunization clinics.

"We had to put in for an increase in price to $20 (for pneumonia and tetanus shots) which didn't go before the Board of Supervisors, so it can't be offered at last year's prices," said Sally Shaw, coordinator for the Sacramento County Health and Human Services Immunization Program.

"It doesn't mean that people still don't need (pneumonia or tetanus shots), we just can't offer them this year at our county senior clinics."

Shaw said the increase isn't due to any budget considerations.

"The cost has just skyrocketed. Last year, we offered those shots for $10, but this year, that won't even pay for the vaccine," Shaw said. "I don't mind not making a profit because we're not 'for profit' necessarily, but we can't take a loss on that vaccine either."

Health departments for Sacramento, Placer and Yolo Counties will offer low-cost flu shots for seniors at over 50 clinics between Nov. 1 and Dec. 18. CLICK HERE for a complete list of locations and times.

In addition, flu shots are also available at Longs Drug in Davis and Woodland ($15), and Raley's Pharmacy in Woodland and West Sacramento ($15).

Chapa-De Indian Health Program offers flu shots on Nov. 14 at the Yocha-De-Ha Building, 175 W. Court St., Woodland, for $8, accepting anyone who needs a shot, but preferring high-risk patients.

Because the flu vaccine comes from the State of California, Shaw expects Sacramento County to keep the cost at last year's price of $4.

"It is definitely the best deal in town for seniors. If they don't have medical coverage, we're the cheapest anyone can get a flu shot," she said. "In the community, it's going to be $15 to $20 unless they bill Medicare Part B. But if a senior isn't on Medicare Part B, it can get real expensive."

Citing the routine contact between grandparents, great-grandparents and children, Shaw emphasized the importance of flu shots for both elders and children between the ages of 6 to 23 months, as recommended by the Academy of Pediatrics and its advisory body.

"We'll see this recommendation more and more as years go by," Shaw said. "They've done some studies in Japan where they've lowered the immunization rate for seniors and targeted children. As a result, they have a much lower influenza rate overall.

"What's happening is that the children are getting it and passing it on to the seniors."

Shaw added that the county flu shot clinics are for seniors only and children must get their flu shots from their own medical providers.

A study in the September 2002 Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences reports that current influenza vaccines are 50 to 60 percent effective in preventing illness in older people, citing advantages of supplementing the vaccine with proper nutrition.

Another study, from Iowa State University, found that among older adults, moderate to vigorous exercise was associated with improved immune response to the influenza vaccine.

For schedule information on influenza vaccines, call (916) 875-7053 for Sacramento County; (530) 666-8645 or (800) 794-6517 for Yolo County; (530) 889-7161 for Placer County.

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