Stanislaus County Health Services, other groups make flu shots available

With the summer-like weather holding firm in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, most residents are not giving thought to runny noses and kids wrapped in blankets.

Nonetheless, the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency will begin flu shot clinics next week. The agency recently released a schedule for 14 one-day flu clinics in Modesto, Ceres, Turlock, Oakdale, Riverbank and Patterson through early December.

The vaccination clinics are generally for low-income residents and people without health insurance. The vaccines available in the United States this year offer protection against four common strains of seasonal influenza.

Health officials urge people to protect themselves and loved ones by getting a flu shot. The vaccinations are recommended for anyone 6 months old or older, including seniors and other adults who are vulnerable to serious complications from influenza. The exception are people with serious allergies to the vaccine.

“The flu virus can be spread 24 hours before a person is aware that they are ill,” said Dr. John Walker, county public health officer. Compared with previous years, this year’s vaccine should be a better match with the circulating flu strains, he said.

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation also announced flu shot clinics for its patients and the public; and Kaiser Permanente is offering no-charge vaccinations for its members this fall.

Sutter Gould will offer flu clinics by appointment the first four Saturdays in October at its facilities at 600 Coffee Road in Modesto; 3100 W. Christoffersen Parkway in Turlock; and Stockton Medical Plaza II, 2545 W. Hammer Lane. Flu shots will be provided Wednesdays and Thursdays in October, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., at Sutter Gould clinics in Modesto, 3612 Dale Road; Ceres, at 2516 Whitmore Ave.; and Patterson, at 801 E St.

Sutter Gould said pediatric vaccine is available at all locations, and a higher-dose flu shot is available as an option for seniors.

Many patients have insurance that covers the cost of vaccinations. For those without coverage, Sutter Gould will charge $40 for a flu shot and $50 for a high-dose vaccination.

Kaiser Permanente has weekday walk-in flu clinics for members through Nov. 25 at the rear west entrance of the Modesto Medical Center, 4601 Dale Road, and at medical offices at 3800 Dale Road and 4125 Bangs Ave. in Modesto, and 1721 W. Yosemite Ave. in Manteca. The clinics are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the Modesto Medical Center and Manteca clinics open until 6:30 p.m.

Kaiser will hold a one-time Saturday flu clinic for non-members and members Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Shop KP office in Modesto at North Point Landing shopping center, 3848 McHenry Ave.

The county Health Services Agency clinics will ask participants to pay a $27 administrative charge. According to a news release, no one is turned away for inability to pay. The clinics are set for:

▪ Sunday, 8-11 a.m., at Hanshaw Middle School, 1725 Las Vegas St., Modesto.

▪ Sunday, noon to 3 p.m., The Well Church, 2500 Claus Road, Modesto.

▪ Tuesday, 4-6 p.m., Ceres Unified School District, Walter White annex, 2491 Lawrence St.

▪ Oct. 7, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Oakdale Family Resource Center, 631 W. F St.

▪ Oct. 10, 4-6 p.m, Salvation Army, 320 Ninth St., Modesto.

▪ Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-noon, Turlock Flea Market, 2000 East Ave.

▪ Oct. 15, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Mellis Park-Westside Collaborative, 601 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Modesto.

▪ Oct. 17, 3-5 p.m., Modesto Gospel Mission, 1400 Yosemite Blvd.

▪ Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., El Ramatito Flea Market, 3113 Crows Landing Road, Modesto.

▪ Oct. 26, 1-3 p.m., West Valley Learning Center, 610 N. Hartley St., Patterson.

▪ Oct. 28, 8:30-10:30 p.m., Riverbank Christian Food Sharing, 3718 High St.

▪ Nov. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., El Ramatito Flea Market, 3113 Crows Landing Road.

▪ Nov. 17, 4-6 p.m., Ceres Unified School District board room, 2503 Lawrence St.

▪ Dec. 8, 4-6 p.m., Ceres Unified School District, Argus Hall, 2503 Lawrence St.

Stanislaus County’s immunization clinic at 820 Scenic Drive administers flu vaccinations Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m. on a walk-in basis. The Wednesday and Friday clinics, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., are by appointment. Call 209-558-7700. The county has a flu information line at 209-558-8872 or visit www.hsahealth.org.

This story was originally published September 27, 2016 at 2:21 PM with the headline "Stanislaus County Health Services, other groups make flu shots available."