Sacramento promotes influenza vaccination in poorly serviced communities as a “dry run” of the potential COVID-19 vaccine

From social media posts to bilingual helplines, Sacramento County health officials are striving to ensure that the most difficult people to reach this season know how to get a flu shot.

According to experts, the spread of influenza vaccines may help prevent simultaneous spikes of influenza and COVID-19 and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. Two illnesses Share some symptoms, And the influx of patients this winter can pose a challenge to emergency room staff.

“We really need to save resources this year,” said Rachel Allen, senior health program coordinator for the Sacramento County Immunization Assistance Program.

The county works with trusted organizations in poorly serviced areas for reasons such as low-income residents, homeless individuals, and flu vaccinations cannot afford, do not know where, or do not know. We are contacting people who may skip the flu shot. There is transportation to the vaccination site.

Additional sites have been set up, including drive-through locations for people who may be nervous about getting vaccinated during a pandemic.Allen says the county had List of free flu clinics Posted in 6 languages. This is more than any translation work done in the past.

“This year was a COVID dry run,” Allen said. “We use every clinic, whether it’s a walk-up or a drive-through … we’re ready for what you need for a COVID vaccine.”

Allen says he does not have accurate information about when the COVID-19 vaccine will be available and to whom it will be first distributed.

To promote influenza vaccination, Sacramento County is working with multicultural sites such as the La Family Counseling Center and the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento to disseminate information about free vaccines.

Liliana Ferrer of the Mexican Consulate General in Sacramento said this was an important time for Mexican-Americans, especially those who are essential workers, to be protected from the flu.

“I’m afraid to come out, especially if I don’t have insurance or if I don’t know where to get insurance,” she said. “The Mexican Consulate is a place of trust and a safe place for our community … with full respect for privacy and confidentiality, no questions asked.”

She says consular staff are trying to talk about the flu vaccine with people who come to the COVID-19 test. They have provided more than 3,000 COVID-19 tests so far and have administered more than 500 influenza vaccines since launching Shots in November.

Pediatrician Dr. Beatrice Tette said informing families about flu shots would be even more difficult this year without on-site flu options and teachers talking to their parents. She runs a clinic near her pocket, and about 60% of her patients use the state’s low-income medical program, Medi-Cal.

She says she spends a lot of time educating her parents who have doubts about the flu vaccine.

“I have people coming in and they follow the advice from their aunts, grandmas and grandpas,” she said. “And not all of them are wrong. It’s just about healthcare. Most of our healthcare professionals share these recommendations with you because we’re trying to keep you healthy. doing.”

Some people need to know who has the flu or get sick and persuade them to fire next season, Tette said. She expects this trend to continue once the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.

“”No vaccines are needed, and some people believe that our immune system is strong enough on its own, “she said. “And one of the things I often discuss with my parents about this is to let them know that vaccines are a powerful way to train the immune system … I think some people still don’t want to do COVID- 19 vaccines. “

The season can last until early 2021, so it’s never too late to get a flu shot. Experts predict that this flu season will be mild. Trends in the Southern Hemisphere..

Find a list of free flu clinics in the county here.. They also have a vaccination helpline: 916-875-7468

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