Getting a flu (influenza) vaccine is an easy way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community from flu. We are stronger when we are all protected!
Updates:
- Flu vaccines are now available at the Shasta County Public Health Immunization Clinic.
What Steps Can I Take To Prevent The Flu?
- Get vaccinated as recommended.
- Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread: wash hands often, stay home when sick if possible, cover coughs and sneezes, and consider wearing a mask if you or a household member are at increased risk of severe illness and to prevent the spread.
- Treat with prescription medication if recommended by a healthcare professional.
- Learn more from the CDC's About Flu and Prevent Flu pages and CDPH's Influenza (Flu) page.
Who Can Get The Flu Vaccine?
- The flu vaccine is recommended for all Shasta County residents six months of age and older, including those who are high risks, such as: young children, those who are pregnant, anyone with chronic health diseases/conditions and adults who are 65 years and older.
- Learn more about the high risk groups that are at higher risk of flu complications on the CDC's People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications page.
- Learn more about CDC's Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine page.
What Are The Flu Vaccine Recommendations?
- The recommended timing of flu vaccination has not changed. September and October are the best times for most people to get vaccinated. Flu vaccination in July and August is not recommended for most people, but there are several considerations regarding vaccination in July and August for specific groups of people:
- For adults (especially those 65 years old and older) and pregnant people in the first and second trimester, vaccination in July and August should be avoided unless it won’t be possible to vaccinate in September or October.
- Pregnant people who are in their third trimester can get a flu vaccine in July or August in order to ensure their babies are protected from flu after birth, when they are too young to get vaccinated.
- Children who need two doses of flu vaccine should get their first dose of vaccine as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given at least four weeks after the first.
- Learn more about flu vaccine recommendations for children at CDC's Flu and Children page.
- Vaccination in July or August can be considered for children who have health care visits during these months, if there might not be another opportunity to vaccinate them. For example, some children might have medical visits in the late summer before school starts and might not return to see a health care provider in September or October.
Where Can I Get My Flu Vaccine?
- Flu vaccines are now available at the Shasta County Public Health Immunization Clinic.
- Visit your healthcare provider or local pharmacies. Many of these locations accept private insurance and Medi-Cal/Medicare for vaccinations, often at no cost, and some provide discounts on other merchandise (if eligible) when you get your flu shot there.
- Visit https://myturn.ca.gov/ or https://www.vaccines.gov/ to make an appointment or find a walk-in clinic near you.
Why Is It Recommended To Get Both The Flu Vaccine And COVID-19 Vaccine?
- Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Both viruses can cause health problems ranging from mild symptoms to illnesses requiring hospitalization and medical support measures.
- As both flu and COVID-19 continue to circulate this fall and winter, getting flu and COVID-19 shots can protect you and your family!
- Check out CDC's Getting a Flu Vaccine and other Recommended Vaccines at the Same Time page.
