Free flu vaccinations will be offered at Plumas County Public Health Agency (in Quincy) Tuesday, January 22nd from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm and Wednesday, January 23rd from 8:30 am – 11:00 am. No appointment necessary. If you did not get your flu vaccine, it’s not too late!

The United States is experiencing an early influenza season, with activity elevated nationally. Plumas County Public Health has conducted local surveillance showing the flu season has begun in Plumas County which is much earlier than past years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone over the age of six months receive a flu vaccine, which offers the best protection against the flu. Those at highest risk of complications from the flu are children younger than 5, adults older than 65, people with certain health conditions, and pregnant women. Because the flu virus is constantly changing, it is important to get vaccinated every year.

This season’s vaccine so far is reducing the risk of having to go to the doctor for influenza by about 60% for people who got vaccinated. Also, influenza vaccination, even with moderate effectiveness, has been shown to offer substantial other benefits including reducing illness, antibiotic use, time lost from work, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Besides getting a flu vaccination, here are some good ways to protect your family from getting the flu:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get the flu, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

If you have questions or would like further advice call your health care provider. You may also call a public health nurse at the health department at 283-6330 or 800-801-6330.

Lori Pini

Health Education Specialist

Plumas County Public Health Agency

270 County Hospital Road, Suite 206

Quincy, California 95971

(530) 283-6988

(530) 283-6330 Main Line

(530) 283-6425 Fax