Salinas Valley Health Offers Free Community Flu Clinics in November

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

SALINAS, CA, October 31, 2018 – Salinas Valley Health is partnering with the Monterey County Health Department to offer free flu vaccines to families who haven’t been vaccinated this season. Salinas Valley Health is hosting two flu clinics in November– one at the hospital in Salinas and a second clinic at the Salinas Valley Health Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center in Gonzales.

“We urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated against the influenza virus,” says Pete Delgado, President/CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “The influenza virus is making its way from east to west and is already claiming lives. We want families in our community to take advantage of these free flu clinics and to stay healthy.”

In addition to the flu vaccine, limited doses of the Tdap vaccine will also be made available to the public for free. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of Tdap vaccine for people ages 11 and older who have not previously received it. The Tdap vaccine helps protect adolescents and adults against three diseases-tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis commonly known as whooping cough. The CDC is not recommending the use of the FluMist for the upcoming flu season.

The first community flu clinic will take place Saturday, November 3^rd between 11am and 2pm. The walk-up clinic will be located in the MRI parking lot of Salinas Valley Health Medical Center at 450 East Romie Lane in Salinas. The second flu clinic will take place Saturday, November 17^th between 11am and 2pm at the Salinas Valley Health Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center located at 850 5^th St. in Gonzales. There is free parking at both locations.

The free flu clinics will provide traditional shots as the most effective vaccine. The CDC reports fewer than half of Americans get an annual flu immunization and every year the flu kills an average 24,000 people. Last year was an especially deadly year when more than 80,000 people died from flu complications in the United States.

Registered nurses from Salinas Valley Health will be administrating the free vaccines on a first come, first serve basis and quantities are limited. You can find more information on the flu clinic or call 831-759-1890.