Swine Flu Clinic Being Held In Riverside

RIVERSIDE- The Riverside County Department of Public Health will hold its first H1N1 swine flu vaccination clinic in Riverside Saturday.

The department canceled a host of seasonal flu vaccination clinics last month because of inadequate supplies. H1N1 clinics have also been delayed as overseas pharmaceutical firms scramble to catch up with demand.

The clinic at the Riverside Neighborhood Health Clinic, 7140 Indiana Ave., is reserved for priority groups, identified as the following:

— Individuals 6 months to 24 years old, with children ages 2 to 12 receiving a nasal spray immunization;

— caregivers of infants;

— pregnant women;

— health aides and emergency medical personnel;

— individuals ages 25 to 64 with chronic health disorders.

“Residents in these priority groups are strongly urged to get the H1N1 vaccine,” said county Health Officer Eric Frykman. “Vaccination is one of the best tools available to prevent illness.”

People age 65 and over are not eligible to receive an H1N1 vaccination at a public health clinic because they are considered less at risk, according to health officials. However, individuals may be able to obtain an immunization from their personal physician.

Residents with questions about the swine flu virus and where to go for shots can call the county’s 211 information hotline, or visit http://www.rivcoph.org.

Some 2,323 confirmed and probable cases of the H1N1 virus have been reported in Riverside County since April, and 27 people have died from complications, according to county health officials.

Symptoms of H1N1 resemble seasonal influenza, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Health officials recommended people take the following precautions to prevent flu transmission:

— frequent hand-washing;

— covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; and

— properly disposing of used tissues.

Anyone with questions or concerns about the flu can contact the California Department of Public Health’s Influenza Hotline at (888) 865-0564.