Butte County Public Health encourages flu shots
CHICO » Butte County Public Health is encouraging residents to get flu vaccinations in preparation for the upcoming influenza season as COVID-19 vaccination numbers stay stagnant.
In a news release Wednesday, Butte County Public Health warned residents, “many commonly celebrated holiday activities carry risk for spreading illness. With the overlap of COVID-19 and flu season this fall and winter, BCPH encourages residents 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated against the flu and all eligible residents 12 years and older to get their COVID-19 vaccine.”
Vaccination rates for COVID-19 remain low compared to all 58 counties in the state, ranking 44 out of 58 in terms of fully-vaccinated population percentages. As of Thursday, 54.80 percent of eligible residents have been fully vaccinated. Similarly, 6.83 percent of residents have been partially vaccinated. The county is still encouraging people who fall into this category to receive their second dose of the vaccine as soon as possible.
The county health department warns infection of both influenza and COVID-19 can occur simultaneously and warns a person infected with influenza may be more likely to get COVID-19. The release also adds COVID-19 is potentially more severe and causes more lung damage in persons co-infected with influenza.
“We expect that both viruses will be out there, circulating in the community,” said Butte County Public Health Director Danette York in a news release. “Residents should take extra precautions this year to protect their health by getting a flu vaccine while continuing to follow the non-pharmaceutical measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.”
The county recommends flu vaccination for everyone six months of age and older but
highlights receiving a vaccine is particularly important for those who may be a high risk for severe influenza. This includes pregnant women, children under five years of age, older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, asthma and heart disease.
Influenza infection most commonly occurs between October and May with the highest number of cases usually occurring from December through February. The county notes since it takes about two weeks for the flu vaccination to provide protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting your flu shot before the end of October.
Flu vaccines are available for free at drive-thru and walk-in clinics during October and into November. The CDC has said both the flu and COVID-19 vaccine can safely be received on the same day.
Local free vaccine schedule:
• Oct. 12: Drive-thru at Dove’s Landing, 2450 Oro Dam Blvd., Oroville, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Oct. 14: Drive-thru clinic at Calvary Chapel, 1888 Springfield Drive, Chico, 7:30 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
• Oct. 14: Drive-thru at Orchard Hospital’s Medical Specialty Center, 284 Spruce St., Gridley, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Oct. 19: Drive-thru at Dove’s Landing, 2450 Oro Dam Blvd., Oroville, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Oct. 20: Walk-in at Chico Elks Lodge, 1705 Manzanita Ave., Chico, 7:30 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
• Oct. 30: Drive-thru at Butte College Chico Center, 2320Forest Ave., Chico, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Nov. 2: Drive-thru at Dove’s Landing, 2450 Oro Dam Blvd., Oroville, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.