Flu shots offered in Poway, Rancho Bernardo

By Elizabeth Marie Himchak

Locals are rolling up their sleeves to receive a flu shot with the hopes of avoiding the common seasonal illness.

Among places those 18 years and older can receive a $20 shot is at the Palomar Health-sponsored community shot clinics that opened on Sept. 1 and will be available through Jan. 25 in various North County locations.

These include venues in Poway, Rancho Bernardo and Rancho Penasquitos. Cash and checks are accepted. Bring a Medicare card for possible coverage, along with an insurance card and photo ID. Appointments are not needed.

While a flu shot is no guarantee of avoiding the typical flu symptoms of fever, headache, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches, those who receive the vaccination are less likely to catch the flu. If they do catch a slightly different strain than the three included in the shot, they could avoid flu-related complications including death, according to Centers for Disease Control officials.

The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccination as soon as available since it takes two weeks for the body to become immune and the flu season typically starts in October and can continue through May. Protection usually lasts six to 12 months.

Because children often need two rounds of vaccine and a different dose than adults, their shots are not available at the Palomar Health community clinics. Their flu shots should be obtained from a pediatrician or health facility, such as Palomar Health’s expresscare which has the flu vaccine for ages 2 and older.

Medical experts say those who should especially get a flu shot early due to having a higher risk of flu complications are those 50 or older; those with heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, HIV, blood disorders, kidney disease or a weakened immune system; children 6 months and older; pregnant women; those living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities; those who have difficulty breathing or swallowing; health care providers; and anyone who is a caregiver to or lives with anyone in the above categories.

Below are the local Palomar Health flu shot community clinics. For a complete list, go to www.PalomarHealth.org/flu. For Palomar Health expresscare locations and hours, go to www.pphexpresscare.com.

For more about the flu and its prevention, go to www.cdc.gov/flu.

POWAY• Fire Station No. 1, 13050 Community Road — 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 8.• Pomerado Hospital lobby, 15615 Pomerado Road — 3-6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10; 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26; 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13; 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15; 3-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26; 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 8; 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18; 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 11; and 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17.• Poway Senior Center, 13094 Civic Center Drive — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14.• North County Inland Older Adult Center, 15905 Pomerado Road — 1-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24.• Connection Church food pantry, 14047 Twin Peaks Road — 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27.• Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 14280 Poway Road — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.• St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road — 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 30.• St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 15546 Pomerado Road — 8-10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14.

RANCHO BERNARDO• The Church at Rancho Bernardo, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court — 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.• San Rafael Catholic Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive — 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.• Rancho Bernardo Senior Services, 16769 Bernardo Center Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 17 and 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 18.• Ed Brown Senior Center, 18402 W. Bernardo Drive — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3.

RANCHO PENASQUITOS• Mount Carmel Church of the Nazarene, 10060 Carmel Mountain Road — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.