Flu Vaccinations Recommended As Cases Increase In Santa Cruz Co.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA – Influenza activity has increased significantly in recent weeks in Santa Cruz County, according to local health officials, with one hospital implementing new visitor restrictions in an attempt to stem spread to patients and staff.

Dignity Health Dominican Hospital last week, along with requesting anyone who is ill or has influenza-like symptoms to not visit at this time, issued the following rules for visitors:

• All visitors must be 16 years of age or older.
• Only one visitor per patient is allowed in the hospital at a time.
• All visitors must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving a patient’s room.
• Staff also may require visitors to wear a mask.
• If ill, call the hospital and a message can be delivered to a patient.

Overall in Santa Cruz County, meanwhile, flu activity is on the rise and expected to continue to increase in coming weeks, officials said. The strain circulating most is influenza A (H3N2), a strain associated with more severe illness and higher mortality, especially in older people and young children, and the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division is urging local residents to get vaccinated.

Everyone ages six months and older, especially pregnant women, should be vaccinated to prevent the influenza illness and serious flu complications, health officials said. Vaccination is especially important for such people at high risk of serious flu-related complications as young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and those with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

Under the Affordable Care Act, according to the Santa Cruz County agency, preventive care such as flu vaccination is covered by all insurance programs, with no co-pay.

Benefits of flu vaccination include:

• Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu.
• Flu vaccination can make your illness milder if you do get sick.
• Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization, including among
• children and older adults.
• Vaccination can protect women during and after pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy
• can also protect the baby after birth.
• Flu vaccination is an important preventive tool for people with chronic health conditions.
• Getting vaccinated yourself also protects people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness.

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based
• sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

To find a location for getting a flu vaccine near you, visit Vaccine Finder.

• ALSO SEE: 27 Under Age Of 65 Die From Flu In California: Report

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