DOWNEY - The city of Downey and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will offer free flu vaccinations on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Downey Theatre.The clinic will provide seasonal flu vaccines for all ages. The working configuration of the clinic will be similar to the flu vaccinations held last year. Staff members from the city, the Department of Public Health and volunteers are working on the final plans for the event. Last year, more than 1,200 seasonal flu vaccinations were administered at a similar event at the Downey Theatre. Flu vaccinations are one method of reducing the number of cases of seasonal flu. Fewer cases of the flu lower the health risk for some at-risk populations (seniors, young children, people with chronic health problems). Fewer cases of the flu also lower the number of emergency calls for service and the number of hospital visits because of flu type problems. Typically, flu season is one of the busiest times of the year for local hospitals and for the fire departments. Some of the other ways people can lower their risk of contracting the seasonal flu are: washing hands with soap; keeping unwashed hands away from eyes, mouth and nose; coughing and/or sneezing into the fold of your elbow; and coughing or sneezing into a tissue and disposing of tissue into a trash can. Questions or comments regarding the flu clinic can be sent to ready@downeyca.org.

********** Published: October 14, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 26