Get the shot: Carson City offers free flu vaccinations on Oct. 16

Saturday, Oct. 16 has been designated Carson City Community Flu Vaccination Day, with vaccines offered to the community at no cost.

It is the seventh year for the program, and by all measures it keeps on growing and has been tremendously successful, health officials said at a press conference this morning.

Last year, there were 8,000 seasonal flu shots given and 21,000 H1N1 shots administered, health officials said.

"The World Health Organization has declared the 2009 HINI pandemic alert over and that we are now in a post-pandemic period. Health experts now anticipate the HINI virus will take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come," said Pam Graber, public health information officer. "This is a time for vigilant, ongoing surveillance vaccination and clinical management."

Approximately 5,000 of the doses have been ordered and will be ready to administer on Oct. 16, said Susan Pintar, county health officer.

"We strongly encourage (the community) to get their flu shot," Pintar said.

What's different from last year is that this season's doses combine the seasonal flu vaccine and the HINI vaccine, so instead of two shots the will be just one.

There will be three locations for the free community vaccination day, which will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are:

— Walk-through at the Carson City Senior Center, 911 Beverly Drive
— Drive-through at Nevada National Guard, 2460 Fairview Drive
— Drive-through at East Fork and Paramedic Station, North Sundridge Drive in Douglas County.

Meanwhile, the Carson City School District has collaborated again with the county to offer vaccines at no cost at to all students. Vaccinations are encouraged but not mandatory.

School vaccination dates and locations are as follows:
— Sept. 20, Bordewich Bray, Seelinger and Fremont.
— Sept. 21, Empire Fritsch and Mark Twain
— Sept. 22, Motessori, Carson Middle school and Eagle Valley Middle School
— Sept. 23, Carson High School
— Sept. 23, Carson High and Pioneer.

School District superintendent Richard Stokes said the evidence was clear in Carson City schools that there wasn't a spike in the flu strains last year and he attributes it to the vaccination program with the Carson City Health and Human Services program.

"We really appreciate the partnership," Stokes said.

Mayor Bob Crowell noted how the city was able to work with Carson Tahoe Hospital to bring the flu vaccine to people when the hospital wasn't able to get their portion of the vaccines intended for hospital staff on time.

According to Karen Allen, RN Planner for Carson City Health and Human Services, the office gave the hospital about 200 doses so it could vaccinate its staff. The doses meant for the hospital were late in their shipment.

Here is the proclamation read today by Mayor Crowell.

Whereas, influenza is a potentially serious illness and flu season 2010 is upon us; and
Whereas, vaccination remains the best defense against the flu, followed by frequent hand washing, proper sneeze etiquette and social distancing; and
Whereas, flu vaccinations are a safe and effective method of protecting oneself and in doing so, protecting other people in the community from getting the flu; and
Whereas, Carson City Health and Human Services has for the last six years dispensed free influenza vaccine to the entire community to protect against flu and also to practice preparedness in case of a widespread disaster; and
Whereas, Carson City Health and Human Services effectively delivered over 8,000 seasonal and 20,000 H1N1 flu vaccinations during the 2009 flu season, and
Whereas, Carson CIty Health and Human Services will offer free influenza vaccine to the community on Saturday, October 16, at the Carson City Senior Center, the Nevada National Guard, and East Fork Fire Station 12 in northern Douglas County.

Now, Therefore, I, Robert L. Crowell, Mayor of Carson City, Nevada, do hereby proclaim Saturday, October 16, 2010 as "Carson City Community Flu Vaccination Day" and urge our citizens to join with me in protecting themselves and our community from the flu.

For information call (775) 887-2190.