Vaccinations for seasonal illnesses ramping up
County Public Health pushes prevention for COVID, flu and RSV
CHICO >> Respiratory illnesses start spiking in winter, so local pharmacies and medical providers are ramping up vaccinations against COVID-19, flu and RSV.
The Butte County Department of Public Health encourages people to ask their doctor “about preventing respiratory illnesses and the importance of vaccinations.”
COVID cases are on an upswing, according to BCPH, whose data indicates a 19.2% positivity rate and an average of nine new cases a day over the previous week. In mid-September, Public Health Director Danette York said the disease is following a pattern similar to seasonal viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, which spread most in winter.
As a result, the federal government changed the distribution of COVID vaccines to match flu shots. So, rather than public health and hospitals administering the shots, physicians and pharmacists receive the vaccine.
“The updated COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be widely available in Butte County by mid-October,” BCPH said. “However, some health care providers and pharmacies may already have the vaccine available. Residents should contact their health care provider to find out if the vaccine is available.”
COVID vaccines are free for most people, either through health insurance or, for low-income residents, BCPH clinics. They’re also part of the Vaccines For Children program that provides free inoculations to kids at medical offices and clinics.
BCPH lists locations providing vaccines on its “Get Vaccinated” page accessible through the county’s website (buttecounty.net).
Enloe Medical Center, for instance, is conducting a flu clinic in conjunction with BCPH on Oct. 9 at the Chico Elks Lodge, 1705 Manzanita Ave. Hours are 7-11 a.m. and 2-6 p.m. This event — strictly for flu, not COVID — will provide free shots to adults (including pregnant or breastfeeding mothers) and children ages 3 and older. Visit enloe.org for more information and to make an appointment.
For RSV, “there is now a vaccine approved for older adults and pregnant women,” BCPH said. “Those interested should contact their health care provider or pharmacy for availability. It’s a new vaccine, and there is typically a lag time during the distribution process.”