Sep. 29--LONG BEACH -- The height of flu season is months away but the introduction of the swine flu into the mix has heightened interest and confusion as the onset of the flu season approaches.
To deal with two-pronged flu season this year, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will be holding two rotations of flu shot clinics, one for the traditional or seasonal flu and a later set of clinics for the more prevalent swine or H1N1 virus.
While swine flu has dominated much of the flu discussion and debate of late, local health officials are recommending that seniors and adults with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma and heart and kidney disease, take advantage of the department's traveling flu shot clinics, which open today.
"The (Centers for Disease Control) has said, 'Don't delay on the seasonal flu shots,"' said Dr. Helene Calvet, city health officer.
The American Lung Association concurs, saying on its Web site. "It is not too early to get a seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available. The protection you get from the vaccine will not wear off before the flu season ends."
According to Calvet, the clinics that open today are "geared for seniors for whom H1N1 is not recommended. We hope this will cut down on confusion."
If you're looking for protection from the H1N1 or so-called swine flu, the upcoming clinics are not the answer.
Calvet says the city is still waiting for specifics on when it will receive those vaccines and in what amounts. Once that happens, she says, information will be available on the department's Web site www.longbeach.gov/health.
Despite the furor over swine flu, which accounts for the overwhelming number of cases in most kids and adults, Calvet says the virus does not tend to affect seniors 64 and older and the swine vaccine is not recommended for that population.
And seasonal flu is still responsible an estimated 36,000 deaths
Seasonal Flu Clinics
Who: For residents 50 older and ages 18-49 with long term health conditions
Where: Long Beach Health Department
2525 Grand Ave.
When: Tues-Wed 9 a.m. -- noon; Fri. 9 a.m. -- 11 a.m. 1 p.m. -- 3 p.m.; Fri. Oct. 9 9 a.m. -- 11 a.m. 1 p.m. -- 3 p.m.
Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th St., Tues. Oct 13 9 a.m. -- noon
American Gold Star Manor, 3021 Gold Star Dr. (Spring St. at Santa Fe Ave.), Wed. Oct. 14 9 a.m. -- noon
McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Tues. Oct. 20 9 a.m. -- noon
El Dorado Park Senior Center, 2800 Studebaker Rd. Thurs. Oct. 22 9 a.m. -- noon
Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave., Wed. Oct. 28 9 a.m. -- noon
All clinics are walk-in only. Medicare Part B is accepted or $2 donation requested.
Information on swine flu vaccinations: 562-570-7468 (after Nov. 1) or online at , or
nationally per year, particularly the elderly and chronically ill.
Since swine flu broke out in Mexico in April this year, it has emerged as the dominant strain of the virus. Despite the heightened fear, swine flu has only been responsible for two deaths in Long Beach.
Residents aren't the only ones who are unsure of what the upcoming flu season will look like.
"Three or four (flu) strains may be vying for your nose," Calvet said.
greg.mellen@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1291
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