Influenza season has arrived and flu shots will be provided at a number of pharmacies and health care facilities in Sonoma Valley.
Also available are pneumonia shots.
Inoculation locations and the dates and times they are available include the following locations.
Pharmaca, 303 W. Napa Street. 707.938.1147. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday Oct. 9 to Friday Oct. 19. $25 flu shots; $35 pneumonia shots.
The Vintage House, 264 First Street East. 707.996.0311. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday Nov. 3 and Saturday Dec. 1. $10 donation for flu shots.
Safeway Pharmacy, 477 W. Napa Street. 707.996.0633.
There are no specific hours or times, please call to make an appointment. $30 flu shots, $45 pneumonia shots.
Longs Drugs, 201 West Napa St. 707.938.4734.Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Nov. 7. $30 flu shots.
Sonoma Valley Hospital, 386 Perkins Street. 707.935.5000.Monday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Dec. 21. Please call for times. $20 flu shots (must be at least 18 years old).
The Centers for Disease Control says that in general anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu should get vaccinated. But there certain people for whom a flu shot is highly recommended, including those “at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those individuals.
People who should get vaccinated each year, says the CDC, are:
—Children age 6 months until their 5th birthday
—Pregnant women
—People 50 years old or older
—People of any age with certain chronic conditions
—People who live in nursing home or long-term facilities
People who should not get vaccinate, according to the CDC, without first seeing a physician include those who have:
—A severe allergy to chicken eggs
—Have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past
—Developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of getting a flu vaccine previously
—Less than six months of age
Additionally, individuals who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen, according to the CDC.
Side effects accompanying a flu shot are soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was give; low grade fever, and aches. These side effects should begin soon after the inoculation and usually last no more than two days, the CDC says.
