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For Release October 27, 2004, 10 a.m.

Expecting a limited shipment of adult flu vaccine this week, Contra Costa Health officials have scheduled 11 clinics throughout the county for residents who are most at risk of complications from the flu.

The county expects to receive 8,300 doses of adult flu vaccine from the California Department of Health Services. Contra Costa Health Services Director William Walker, MD announced today that about 2,400 doses would be administered to residents of skilled nursing facilities. The remaining doses will be made available to residents through 11 clinics that will be held on November 10 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. or as long as supplies last. People 65 years old and over and adults 19-64 years old with chronic medical conditions will be eligible for the vaccine. The 11 locations are Antioch Senior Center, Second & E Street; Brentwood Community Center, 730 Third Street; Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Cir.; Danville Community Center, 420 Front St.; El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane; Lafayette Senior Center, 500 St. Mary's Rd.; Martinez Senior Center, 818 Green St.; Pittsburg Senior Center, 300 Presidio Lane; Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane; Richmond Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza; Walnut Creek Heather Farms Center, 301 N. San Carlos Rd..

"We wish we had enough vaccine for everyone in Contra Costa who wants a flu shot. Unfortunately, we have very limited supplies of adult vaccine and need to direct it to those at greatest risk," said Dr. Walker, adding that Health Services has reviewed and refined the federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. The county expects to have enough flu vaccine for children. The children's vaccine will be given through regularly scheduled immunization clinics.

To be sure the adult flu vaccine gets to those with the most severe chronic medical conditions, Walker said that his department is using a definition of chronic disease that covers persons age 19-64 years of age with congestive heart failure, asthma requiring daily medications to control, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Cystic fibrosis, Pulmonary hypertension, Organ transplant recipient, End stage renal disease (ESRD), Sickle Cell anemia, AIDS and others who are severely immunocompromised and others with other severe medical illness.

"To be fair to everyone, we are asking those with asthma to bring their medication. We are also encouraging those with chronic disease to bring a note from their physician indicating what their chronic condition is," said Walker.

People who are in the priority categories will be given numbers to correspond with the available doses. Walker said he hoped this approach would reduce the number of people waiting for long periods of time.

More information about the flu is available at cchealth.org, the Health Emergency line at 888-959-9911 or the County's flu hotline at 925-313-6469.

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