Salinas hospital offers free vaccines to prepare for flu season
SALINAS, Calif. (KION)
Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital offered a round of free flu vaccines, Saturday.
With concerns still looming over the coronavirus, the hospital staff say they want these free flu shots to be an equal opportunity for everyone to reduce their chances of getting sick and to stay safe this upcoming flu season.
Winter is right around the corner and the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital is helping people on the Central Coast prepare for flu season.
Hundreds of people, including children, lined up Saturday around SVMH to get their flu vaccine.
Hospital staff say they get about 400 to 600 people every year, but this year they are expecting a bigger turn out due to the pandemic.
One of the biggest concerns people have this year is not knowing whether their symptoms could potentially be a sign of the flu or the COVID-19 virus.
“We are doing screenings to make sure that everyone is well enough to be here and around others as well. Whether it be COVID or flu or any other virus let your physician know if you get more than mildly sick they are testing that we can do for COVID if you’re having COVID symptoms,” says Jill Peralta-Cuellar, SVMH Registered Nurse.
Monterey County Public Health Officer, Doctor Edward Moreno emphasizes the importance of getting a flu vaccine as the pandemic continues, especially those who may have tested positive for the virus and are recovering.
“They’re out of their isolation period, however, they’re struggling, they’re short of breath, they still need oxygen, they’re weak…these individuals may be more susceptible to complications of flu,” says Moreno.
Moreno adds some of those who recovered from COVID have prolonged lung inflammation, putting them at an even grater health risk.
The CDC says flu activity often begins to increase in October and peaks between December and February.
The next free flu vaccine clinic will be held on October 13 at Palma High School in Salinas.
To find out more, visit https://www.svmh.com
