Where to Get the H1N1 Flu Vaccine

The following clinics are for people at higher risk for getting or having complications from the H1N1 flu. Over the next weeks and months, as regular shipments of vaccine continue to arrive, there should be enough vaccine for anyone who wants it.

Public vaccination clinics for the following groups will be held on November 15, and November 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Pregnant women;
Children and young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years;
People who live with or provide care for infants under six months;
Adults between the ages of 25 and 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications; and,
Healthcare and emergency medical services workers.
Because the vaccine supply is so limited at this time, it is important that persons not belonging to one of the groups above wait to be vaccinated so that those at highest risk of severe illness can get the vaccine.

Once the demand for vaccine for people at highest risk has been met, the Public Health Department and local providers will begin providing the vaccine to all others who want it. It is important to remember – this is the beginning of a long vaccination effort. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Clinic locations, days, and hours may change based on the vaccine’s availability and public demand. Please check www.sccphd.org/h1n1flu for weekly updates to clinic schedules.

November 15th to November 21st

Times
Sunday, November 15
Saturday, November 21 9:30 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
Location
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds
EXPO HALL
334 Tully Road
San José, CA 95111

For more information about the H1N1 flu and vaccination clinics offered by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, visit www.sccphd.org.

“The only portals of H1N1 entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat.. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.”

To view a video clip on how to do saline irrigation, you can go to the following site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nasal-lavage/MM00552