H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Information

If you are looking for information on the H1N1 flu vaccine, 211 has information regarding clinic location and hours, vaccine priority information, and general symptom information.

 

 

If you have a regular medical provider, please check with them to determine if they have ordered H1N1 vaccine. If they have ordered and received the vaccine, please schedule an appointment with them; some shipments are slowly arriving at private providers’ offices and local pharmacies. If your provider does not have the vaccine, and has not ordered it, limited quantity and types of H1N1 vaccine are available at the County Clinics. The vaccine is prioritized for use in the CDC priority groups of:  pregnant women; children and young adults 4 to 24 years old; adults 25 to 64 years old with chronic medical conditions; household contacts of infants less than 6 months old; and health care workers.  In addition, Central, North Coastal, and North Inland clinics have a small amount of adult preservative-free vaccine available for pregnant women. Vaccines at all County clinics are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

Due to the demand and limited supply, we do not have information on which clinic has the vaccine at any given time. The County Public Health Department is distributing vaccines as needed between clinics. To find H1N1 flu vaccine clinics online or to check updates on the locations that still have vaccine, please visit the County H1N1 Flu Vaccine Page.

 

 

 

Get Vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu. You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine is different from the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine. The CDC is encouraging people to get both vaccinations. Get the seasonal vaccination as soon as possible and get the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccination as soon as it is available in early fall. 

 

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

 

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

 

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

 

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

 

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

 

CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

 

Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

 

 

 

Symptoms of Seasonal and H1N1 (Swine) Flu

 

Generally, all the strains of flu cause similar symptoms. These include:

 

  • Fever (usually high)
  • Headache
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle aches
  • Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults


These symptoms are usually referred to as "flu-like symptoms”.

 

The difference with H1N1 flu is that very few people have any resistance to it, so it has the potential of making more people sick.

 

For more information about both seasonal and H1N1 flu and flu vaccine, please visit the following sites:

 

 County of San Diego H1N1 Flu Vaccine Website

 

 San Diego Immunization Branch’s Flu Resource Page

 

 Centers For Disease Control Flu Website

 

 

As the supply of H1N1 flu vaccine continues to arrive in the community, it will be available at many physician offices and other locations throughout the county.  You should call your doctor or personal medical provider to determine if they have received the vaccine.  When they have the vaccine you can obtain it from them.   If you do not have a medical provider or if your provider has told you they will not offer the vaccine, please visit the County H1N1 Flu Vaccine Page.