Arm Yourself Against the Flu. Get Vaccinated!

Kaiser Permanente’s South Bay seasonal flu clinics open this Saturday, September 26th and members are reminded that flu shots are available to them at no cost. Getting a flu vaccine is the most important step everyone should take to stay well and protect themselves and their loved ones against the influenza virus.

“Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from influenza. It’s important that everyone 6 months of age and older get the flu vaccine as soon as it’s available,” said Dr. Nita Mahajan, physician champion for flu vaccination at Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center. “Though children, pregnant women and the elderly are the most at risk for complications from the flu, it can be just as serious for healthy young adults.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the 2014-2015 season, influenza activity started early and had a relatively long duration. While the season was especially severe for people 65 and older, children 0-4 years of age had the second-highest hospitalization rate of the season.

“Last year’s flu season serves as an excellent reminder that flu viruses are constantly changing,” added Dr. Mahajan. “The H3N2 viruses that we saw last flu season did not appear until after the vaccine composition for the Northern Hemisphere had been chosen.”

Nonetheless, CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine even during seasons when the vaccine isn’t a perfect match because the vaccination can still prevent some infections and lower the risk of complications, even death.

Since it can take up to two weeks for your body to develop immunity, it is important to vaccinate as early in the season as possible. Early vaccination will provide protection throughout the influenza season and into the spring.

This year’s flu shot will offer protection against the three kinds of flu viruses that are expected to be in circulation this season. This includes, both influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and influenza B viruses.

In addition to the opening of all walk-in clinics region-wide, several Kaiser Permanente South Bay facilities will hold drive-through flu shot clinics. These include:

• Carson Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 18600 S Figueroa St., Carson, CA 90248
• Normandie North Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 25965 S. Normandie Ave., Harbor City, CA 90710
• Torrance Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 20790 Madrona Ave., Torrance, CA 90503

For a complete list of clinic locations and times, and for more information about preventing or treating the flu, visit www.kp.org/flu.