Scripps Health Offering Seasonal Flu Vaccine In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Scripps Health Tuesday began offering early seasonal influenza vaccinations to county residents, before flu season starts ramping up later this year, officials said.

Scripps said the vaccine is "an updated version designed to better match the influenza viruses expected to circulate during the 2026-2027 flu season, following the emergence and wide spread of a new H3N2 version of the infection last year."

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"Rather than being a booster, the vaccine is reformulated every year because the virus is constantly changing," said Anthony Chong, a family medicine physician and chief medical officer at Scripps Coastal Medical Center.

"Scientists update the shot based on global surveillance in order to increase protection against the influenza viruses that we expect to see during the upcoming season," Chong added.

While influenza is a common ailment, "even a mild infection can cause physical discomfort and disruptions to schedules, and more serious cases can be deadly," according to Scripps.

"Influenza is easy to underestimate, but it can cause serious complications, even in people who are otherwise healthy," said Siu Ming Geary, an internal medicine physician and vice president of primary care at Scripps Clinic Medical Group.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a yearly flu shot for everyone 6 months of age and older, according to Scripps.

"Vaccination is especially important for adults 65 and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and anyone at increased risk of severe influenza complications," officials added.

As recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the new vaccine formulation includes protection against three viruses: A/Missouri (H1N1), B/Tokyo and a new one called A/Darwin (H3N2).

Scripps said it will assess the new vaccine for adults 50 and older in the future "and if it is determined to be appropriate for these patients, may add it to its available influenza vaccine options for the 2027-28 flu season."

According to Scripps, San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency data show local influenza deaths declined during the 2025-26 season as compared with the previous season -- but the virus "still claimed 76 lives in San Diego County and infected more than 25,000 people."

Scripps doctors reminded residents that "annual vaccination remains the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death."

Health professionals "recommend getting vaccinated in September or October, so the body's immune system has time to build protection before influenza activity begins increasing in the community," according to Scripps. Usually, the body's immune system develops antibodies that help protect against infection after two weeks, Scripps added.

Physicians offered tips on how residents can reduce the spread of influenza, including:

-- washing hands often with soap and water, and avoid their touching eyes, mouth or nose.

-- noticing symptoms, including body or muscle aches, cough, fatigue, fever, headaches, runny or stuffy nose, or sore throat.

-- avoiding people who are sick whenever possible; and

-- covering coughs and sneezes.

People who are sick should stay home and keep a physical distance from others until symptoms improve and they haven't run a fever for at least 24 hours, minus the use of medication, according to Scripps.

When resuming normal activities, people should take additional precautions for five days, particularly around others who are at increased risk of serious illness. Scripps recommended that people "seek urgent medical attention for difficulty breathing, persistent chest or abdominal pain, confusion, seizures, severe weakness or dehydration, or symptoms that improve and then return or worsen."

Scripps said patients may get a flu shot by appointment at most of the health care system's offices, with the vaccine available to everyone on a walk-in basis at Scripps HealthExpress locations.

Those wishing to schedule an appointment can use the MyScripps portal or call 800-727-4777. More information is available at scripps.org/patients- and-visitors/flu-information.