Sacramento-area flu-shot strategy: Seek out seasonal; wait (mostly) on H1N1
Alexis Meron, a senior at Sacramento State, winces Wednesday as she gets a flu shot. The annual campus "Phlagleblast" festival set up an area nearby where nurses inoculated more than 200 students. Young adults are a high-priority group to receive swine flu vaccine.
If you're considering getting the H1N1 flu shot, forget it for now, unless you are pregnant or have a very young child.
While you wait for the H1N1 shots to become more widely available later this fall, officials recommend you get the seasonal flu shot.
But there's a hitch there, too: Supplies have nearly dried up.
There's been a delay in getting both vaccines to the public. Manufactures have been slow in delivering more of the seasonal vaccine. And making the H1N1 doses took longer than anticipated; they're only now trickling out to doctors so the most-vulnerable get vaccinated against what's proving to be a risky flu for children and those with weakened immune systems.
It still possible to find the seasonal shots in the Sacramento area. But because the supply is managed privately and the distribution uneven, it may take a little work to find who's delivering the vaccine.
Be sure to call ahead for an appointment, as the supply situation changes. Here's a guide to finding a seasonal flu shot.
Call your health care provider first, as the shot is likely to be covered by insurance. Many doctors are reporting shortages, so you may end up looking elsewhere.
Sacramento County clinics
• A drive-through clinic today, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Sears at 5901 Florin Road, Sacramento. The cost is $10.
• Free shots will be offered at the Robertson Community Center next Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 3525 Norwood Ave., Sacramento.
• Free flu shots will be offered at the Pannell Center Thursday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 2450 Meadowview Road, Sacramento.
Placer County clinics
There will be a $20 charge.
• Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Multipurpose Senior Center, 11577 E Ave., Auburn.
• Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville.
Other clinics
• Sutter VNA & Hospice is hosting a public clinic today, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Carmichael Honda dealership, 6151 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights.
• Sacramento International Airport's clinics still have supplies. The clinics are open Monday through Friday, 7 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 7 to 11 a.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Weekend hours are subject to change. Call (916) 446-4449.
Retailers
Retail clinics charge around $30.
• Rite Aid still has shots; call ahead for appointments.
• Safeway still has adequate supplies. Call ahead because some pharmacies administer vaccines only at certain times.
• Most Walgreen's are out, and supplies will not be re-stocked.
• Raley's, Wal-Mart and Costco report being out of the seasonal vaccine.