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| It's that time again. (Photo: D. Lobanov, Shutterstock) |
Many people swear but it and do it year after year ever
since they can remember. Some even get vaccinated twice a year or every six
months.
But the vast majority do not believe in the flu shot or have
altogether stop getting vaccinated.
How so? There are so many studies about the flu shot being only beneficial to a small segment of the population or that there are side effects to it or whatever effects it has is not really worth taking it, or even it being more dangerous than the flu itself etc. etc. etc.
I understand that for some, it is against their faith or what they believe in. Others, they are just perfect human specimens or so health conscious they don't need one or abhor the thought of injecting these chemicals in their bodies.
Luckily the Choice is Yours!
How so? There are so many studies about the flu shot being only beneficial to a small segment of the population or that there are side effects to it or whatever effects it has is not really worth taking it, or even it being more dangerous than the flu itself etc. etc. etc.
I understand that for some, it is against their faith or what they believe in. Others, they are just perfect human specimens or so health conscious they don't need one or abhor the thought of injecting these chemicals in their bodies.
Luckily the Choice is Yours!
Well, the choice is really up to you. Nobody’s forcing anybody. But it’s there if you want to. If money is the only reason then there are places to go where you can get one for free.
And if and when you want to have one, right now is the time
to do so.
So if you have health insurance (hopefully you do) then head
on over to your regular provider or clinic or pharmacy and take it.
No Cost Flu Shots
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health do offer
flu vaccinations at no-cost at community vaccination events throughout LA
County. See below for the schedule and places to go to.
Who Should Get Flu Vaccinations?
According to the United States Center for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), everyone aged six months and older should be vaccinated
against the flu, most especially those who are at higher risk of developing
serious complications (such as pneumonia). This includes people with certain
medical conditions or weakened immune system or chronic medical condition (for
instance, diabetes, asthma and chronic lung disease, like cystic fibrosis, asthma, or COPD), pregnant women, children under the age of five and adults over the age of 65.
Flu Shot Debate
One thing that normally doesn't pop out in the “to have a flu
shot or not” debate is that people are people. We are all different. People who
were born and grew up in So Cal (or wherever else in the U.S. Mainland) is
probably immune to most everything in their environment already.
But So Cal is a melting pot of different cultures, and yes
different people means different viruses coming in and out (hopefully not the
ebola virus). Different people means there might be new strains every single
flu season and so if you are on the high risk population, then it may really be
a good idea to have one.
Two, if you are the immigrant and you are currently living in So Cal
then you might need one because you most probably aren't immune to the viruses
here.
Three, if you are living with a high risk person or taking
care of one, then of course it’s logical to have it too.
On the other hand, if you live alone, do not take care of anyone, or
haven’t had a flu or gotten sick all your life then you might not need
one.
Free Flu Shots in So
Cal
10/10/2014 Alondra Park Gym, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM 3335 Redondo Beach Blvd Torrance
10/16/2014 Central Farmers Market, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 4301
S. Central Avenue LA
10/19/2014 Youngnak Presbyterian Church, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
1721 N Broadway Ave LA
10/22/2014
Covina Joslyn Senior Center, 9:00
AM to 11:30 AM 815 N. Barranca Ave Covina
Chinatown Senior Service Center,
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 600 N. Broadway Ave LA
Pico Rivera Senior Center, 9:00 AM
to 11:00 AM 9200 Mines Ave Pico Rivera
10/24/2014
La Crescenta Library, 1:00 PM to
3:00 PM 2809 Foothill Blvd La Crescenta
Aviation Gym, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 1935
Manhattan Beach Blvd Redondo Beach
10/25/2014
Nury Martinez Health Fair, 10:00 AM
to 2:00 PM 14702 Sylvan Street Van Nuys
South El Monte Community Center, 10
AM to 2 PM 1530 Central Ave South EL Monte
Highland Park Recreation Center,
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 6150 Piedmont Ave LA
New Commandment Church, 10:00 AM to
2:00 PM 15548 Paramount Blvd Paramount
Watts Health Farmers Market, 9:30
AM to 2:00 PM 10300 S. Central Ave LA
Little Company of Mary, 9:00 AM to
12:00 PM 1300 W. 7th Street San Pedro
10/27/2014 Benjamin Franklin Library, 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM
2200 E. 1st Street LA
And the list goes on, so for a complete list, call 211, or visit the County of LA
Public Health website.
CDC Offers New Flu Vaccine Guidelines
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