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Friday, October 2, 2020

WHAT

Contra Costa Health Services will also be hosting a series of free one-day flu vaccination clinics this month open to county residents. No appointments are needed.

WHEN:

The first community flu vaccination clinic will be held on Oct. 5 and the last one will be held on Oct. 30. Click here to see a schedule for the clinics.

WHERE:

Flu vaccination clinics will be held in Antioch, Brentwood, Concord, Richmond and San Ramon.

WHO:

Health officials recommend that everyone age six months and older get their annual flu vaccine. The flu vaccination clinics will be open to all county residents regardless of insurance or immigration status.

WHY:

With COVID-19 and the upcoming flu season overlapping, county health officials say it’s more important than ever to get vaccinated against influenza this year. Health officials are worried about a so-called “twindemic” or “double surge” in the coming months where hospitals are overwhelmed by having to care for both flu patients and COVID-19 patients. Flu vaccination is the best protection against influenza.

Flu season in the Bay Area tends to peak in January or February, but it can be unpredictable – which is why it’s best to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Influenza and COVID are respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms, such as congestion, cough and fever. There is currently no vaccine for COVID. The best way to prevent the spread of COVID is to practice physical distancing, wear face coverings when around people who don’t live with you, wash your hands regularly and stay home if you’re sick. These measures also help reduce the spread of the flu as well.

For more information about influenza, visit cchealth.org/flu. To schedule a COVID test, call (844) 421-0804 or visit cchealth.org/coronavirus.

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