Get Prepared For Flu Season

10/28/09 - Due to extremely high demand, we're temporarily out of flu vaccine injections and are giving live seasonal and H1N1 mist vaccines only. Seasonal flu mist vaccine is only given to people 2-49 years old, and can't be given to pregnant women or people with chronic conditions. H1N1 flu mist vaccine is only given to healthy people 2-24 years old, healthy people 25 to 49 years old who live with babies less than 6 months old, health care and emergency medical workers up to 49 years old, and it can't be given to pregnant women or people with chronic conditions.

Please call our Flu Hotline at 1-800-KP-FLU-11 for an update before you come in to get your vaccine. We're updating the message frequently. Thanks!

No one wants to get the flu. Since antibiotics won't help the flu or cold viruses, the single best way to help prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each fall. It takes from two to four weeks for your body to develop immunity once you receive the flu shot.

Starting October 5th, we will be offering a walk-in clinic from 10AM – 6PM, Monday through Friday, at Medical Office Building East located at our main campus at 401 Bicentennial Way, as well as at our Rohnert Park and Stein campuses.

These walk-in clinics will be available at all three locations from October 5 - November 20, 2009. You can get clinic information by calling the Flu Hotline number at 1-800-KP-FLU-11. You can listen to the free message in English or Spanish.

H1N1 Influenza Update

This flu season has been confusing because of the new flu virus that has continued through the summer. The Pandemic-H1N1 influenza A, originally known as the “Swine Flu”, has impacted our flu vaccine plans for this year.

This year, there will be TWO different flu vaccinations—the regular seasonal flu vaccine and the new Pandemic-H1N1 flu vaccine for “swine flu” protection. The seasonal flu vaccine was prepared before the H1N1 flu strain surfaced, so it does not contain H1N1 and will not protect against the H1N1 flu. Both vaccines contain only pieces of the virus, and do not cause “the flu”. Our shipment of the routine seasonal flu vaccine will arrive in September, in time for our first flu vaccine clinic on Oct 3.

The second flu vaccination is for protection against the new H1N1 Influenza strain. This new vaccine is currently being studied for safety; its estimated delivery from the State Health Department is sometime in October. We will not have this new vaccine at the start of our seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinics. The H1N1 vaccine must be given as two shots at least 3 weeks apart. The CDC has developed early guidelines instructing this new vaccine be given to:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
• People between the ages of 25 years and 64 years with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel

Tips for Flu Season

• Keep 'em clean. Hand washing is the most important thing you can do to keep from getting and spreading colds and the flu. Using just plain soap and warm water is as effective as using antibacterial products. Carry an alcohol-based hand gel (such as Purell) to use when you can't wash.
• Cover your cough. Cold and flu viruses are spread by airborne particles. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue instead of your hands, if possible. If you do use your hands, wash them as soon as you can.
• Avoid touching your face. Cold and flu viruses are often spread by touching something or someone that is contaminated with germs and then rubbing your eyes or nose, or touching your mouth.
• Clean surfaces (such as counter tops, telephones, toys, cups, bathroom sinks) that sick children or adults may have contaminated.
• Stay healthy. Eat a healthy diet and exercise to keep your immune system working its best.
• Get plenty of rest. Sleep helps build your body's natural defenses for fighting off infection.
• Reduce stress. Chronic stress can compromise your immune system.

Because the flu can cause serious complications for certain people, a flu shot is especially important for:

• All children 6 months to 18 years old.
• Anyone 50 or older.
• Anyone with a chronic health condition.
• Women who are pregnant during flu season.
• Health care workers.
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
• Anyone living with or caring for someone in one of the above categories or a child younger than 6 months.

Flu season generally runs from late fall through early spring.

If you don't get to one of our flu clinics this fall, we anticipate that the flu vaccine will be available from your primary care physician through March.

Coping with Colds and Flu

If have been diagnosed as having an illness (such as flu) caused by a virus, home remedies and over-the-counter medicines can ease your symptoms so that you feel better while your body heals itself. Antibiotics do not cure viral illnesses or help you to get better faster. In fact, antibiotics can be harmful if taken when not needed. Over-the-counter treatments can help you feel better while your body's own defenses fight the virus. Read More

If you have not improved in a few days, or if new symptoms occur, or if you have other concerns, please call or return to the office for a recheck.