Flu vaccine offered to all county residents

By ERIC LINDBERG — Dec. 11, 2009

Vaccine for the H1N1 influenza strain is now available for all residents of Santa Barbara County through free community vaccination clinics, public health officials announced in a weekly update on the pandemic.

A total of 55 people have been admitted to the hospital in connection with the flu strain as of Tuesday, including one person who was hospitalized in the past week. Six people have died from H1N1 influenza or complications, officials said, noting that all six had underlying medical conditions.

Vaccinations for the flu will be offered at three upcoming clinics — at Carpinteria Canalino School, 1400 Linden Rd., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, on Monday from 3 to 7p.m.; and at Santa Ynez Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Dr., on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m.

“Three additional H1N1 community clinics will be scheduled in the month of January in the cities of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc,” according to county public health news release.

The county’s public health department and private healthcare providers have received a total of 93,950 doses of the vaccine, most of which have been doled out through private clinics and providers. Of the 33,120 doses received by the department itself, 12,222 were used during community clinics.

A flu information phone line, staffed by nurses who respond to public inquiries in English and Spanish, has received more than 2,000 calls since September 23. Questions can be directed to that phone line at 888-722-6358, and more information is available at www.sbcfluinfo.org.

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