Winter flu immunizations start Monday
The Yuma County Public Health Services District has just started to offer this winter’s flu vaccines, and its annual distribution will formally begin Monday.
Maria Nuñez, the district’s deputy director, said Friday the first shipment came in this week, so they’ve been offering it to those who have been coming into the office for other reasons.
She said many residents tend to come in later rather than earlier for the shots, even though authorities recommend people get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“Normally we see an increase in patients asking for the vaccine when they start seeing other people getting sick, but the recommendation is that you get the vaccine as early as possible, because it takes two weeks to build up immunity. And you want to have protection in case you come into contact with it,” she said.
Last season, the number of flu cases hit their peaks in December through February, but “It could start earlier, or right now. We haven’t had any positives yet, but we don’t know,” she said.
The county’s vaccines will be available throughout the flu season at:
• The Health District building, 2200 W. 28th St. in Yuma, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, except for the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
• JP Court #2, 1358 E. Liberty St. in San Luis, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
Immunizations will be available for everyone 6 months of age and older. The cost is $25 for adults and $10 for individuals 18 years and younger.
Medicare Part B, AHCCCS and Private Insurance are accepted upon presentation of card.
All of the 2019-2020 influenza vaccines are made to protect against the following three viruses:
• An A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus (updated)
• An A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2)-like virus (updated)
• A B/Colorado/06/2017like (B/Victoria lineage) virus
Quadrivalent vaccines will include the same viruses plus an additional flu B virus called B/ Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/ Yamagata lineage) virus.
For additional information, contact the Immunization Department at (928) 317-4559.