GONZALES, Calif. —
A free flu shot clinic in Gonzales offered residents a chance to get vaccinated as the region experiences an early start to flu season and the Bay Area records its first flu-related death.
Health care workers noted the importance of vaccinations, especially with the holiday season approaching. Last year, about 50 million Americans contracted the flu, resulting in 700,000 hospitalizations and 40,000 flu-related deaths. Vaccines are available for individuals six months and older.
“You know, it’s been an early flu season this year, so really important for people to get vaccinated, protect their loved ones. You know, we’ve got the holiday seasons coming up, lots of family gatherings, so this is just a way to keep everybody healthy,” Marian Fox, RN with Salinas Valley Health, said.
“I think it’s really important, especially for older folks like my dad, who’s 90, to come and get their flu shot every year so they can stay healthy. At that age, they need to stay healthy. Any little flu can turn into pneumonia or something worse, so it’s really important that they come out and get their flu shot,”Delia Gutierrez, a Gonzales resident, said.
Salinas Valley Health has additional flu clinics scheduled later this month in Salinas and Castroville.