Tag Archives: flu shots

According to local health officials, the start of the 2019 flu season in El Paso has already seen more than 50 cases of the virus, more than double the number compared to this time last season.

With that news, officials with the City of El Paso Department of Public Health are hoping an increase in the number of those receiving the flu vaccine will help prevent the trend from affecting more area residents.

“It is especially important that our community members receive the flu vaccine now, before the holidays roll around and we find ourselves in more close-contact social situations,” said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, El Paso Health Authority. “Keep in mind that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and protect a person from the virus.”

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older receive the flu vaccine every year. Individuals over the age of 65, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, and weakened immune systems are considered to be at greatest risk for life-threatening flu complications.

The public is reminded that most insurances cover flu vaccines at little or no cost via primary healthcare providers or local retail outlets. The Department of Public Health’s Immunization Program offers low-cost vaccines for children who meet the state guidelines via their three clinics.

Appointments can be made by calling (915) 212-6555. Adults who do not have insurance can also receive free vaccines at these clinics thanks to funding from the Medicaid Waiver Program.

Additionally, the Vaccinations for Health program with upcoming clinics taking place on Wednesday, November 6 at the EPFD Safety, Health & Outreach Center, at 5415 Trowbridge Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday, November 9, at Fire Station 18, 7901 San Jose Road from 8 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

For more information on flu prevention and flu vaccines, please visit www.EPHealth.com or in Spanish at www.EPSalud.com

With the change of seasons upon the Borderland, officials with Immunize El Paso say it’s now time to begin preparing the eminent flu season. The non-profit immunization clinic, is initiating their annual influenza vaccination to give El Pasoans an opportunity to stay healthy.

“We want to ensure that we ensure that everyone is protected going into the flu season, and vaccination is the most effective measure to do so” said Dusty Warden, Outreach Coordinator for Immunize El Paso.

“Flu activity peaked January through March of last year, getting your flu shot early in the season will give your body a chance to build up immunity against the virus” Warden continued.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported 9,447 flu and pneumonia-related deaths, with 17 of these being children under the age of 18.

Flu vaccine is now available in multiple variations, including a vaccine that does not use eggs, antibiotics, or live virus in any part of the manufacturing process.

Other presentations include a preservative-free vaccine and a high-dose formulation specifically developed for seniors.

All children, seniors over 65, those with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic medical conditions are extraordinarily vulnerable to the flu, and vaccination is highly recommended for each of these groups.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions are also just as important to stopping to flu. Officials recommend that residents Remember the four “C”s:

• Clean your hands
• Cover your cough
• Contain germs by avoiding others when you’re sick
• Call your doctor if you experience a high-grade fever.

Flu vaccines are now available at each of Immunize El Paso’s clinic locations, along with outreach sites scheduled through the next several months.  More information can be found online or by calling 915-881-1100.

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Central El Paso  |  Phone – 915-533-3414

San Juan Clinic

6292 Trowbridge, 79905

Monday through Friday 8AM – 5PM Saturday: 9AM – 12 Noon

East El Paso  |   Phone – 915-857-2474

1580 George Dieter, Ste 103, 79936

Monday through Friday: 8AM – 5PM Saturday: 9AM – 12 Noon

The El Paso Fire Department is encouraging the community to take advantage of the popular Vaccinations for Health program.

Vaccinations for Health provides free influenza, blood pressure and glucose screenings to patients 18 and older, and pneumonia vaccines to those 65 and older.

There are nine clinic dates in October and November:

Saturday, Oct. 20: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 8 AM to 11:30 AM

Wednesday, Oct. 24: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 PM to 5 PM

Wednesday, Oct. 31: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 PM to 5 PM

Saturday, Nov. 3: Fire Station 17, 8803 Alameda Ave., 8 AM to 11:30 AM

Wednesday, Nov. 7: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 PM to 5 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 14: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 PM to 5 PM

Saturday, Nov. 17: Fire Station 29, 11977 Pellicano Dr., 8 AM to 11:30 AM

Wednesday, Nov. 21: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 PM to 5 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 28: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 PM to 5 PM

The service is FREE to residents of El Paso and Hudspeth County who are 18 and over and DO NOT have medical insurance or are on Medicaid.

For more information, residents are encouraged to call 3-1-1, visit health.elpasofire.org, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

With El Paso County reporting nearly a tripling in flu cases compared to last year, Immunize El Paso is stepping up efforts to ensure borderland residents get protected.

The non-profit immunization group recently received a shipment of over 2,000 flu vaccines for adults, and has an additional stockpile reserved exclusively for children who do not have health insurance or cannot otherwise afford the vaccine.

Typically, the flu vaccination period is from September to mid-December, with most providers ceasing immunization efforts after this time frame. With the news of widespread flu activity across Texas, patients have had mild difficulty locating flu clinics.

This prompted IZEP to procure additional doses to avoid circumstances of a localized shortage.

“After the holiday season, it can be particularly difficult to find influenza vaccine” said Dusty Warden, outreach coordinator for Immunize El Paso.  “With news of rising flu activity, people have been seeking out protection against the potentially deadly virus.”

Testing by the Texas Department of Health has revealed that the most prevalent strain of flu being transmitted is an Influenza Type A (H3N2), which a related strain is contained in this year’s flu vaccine formulation. Matching flu transmission with flu vaccine components naturally increase the likeness of effective vaccine protection.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions are also just as important to stopping to flu. Remember the four “C”s: Clean your hands, Cover your cough, Contain germs by avoiding others when you’re sick, and Call your doctor if you experience a high-grade fever.

Flu vaccines will be available at each of Immunize El Paso’s clinic locations along with outreach site scheduled through the next several weeks.

More information on this year’s flu activity and vaccine can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu,  immunizeelpaso.org or by calling 915-881-1100.

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Central El Paso:                                                                                            

San Juan Clinic

6292 Trowbridge, 79905

Monday through Friday 8AM – 5PM

Saturday: 9AM – 12 Noon (check schedule for details)

Phone – 915-533-3414

East El Paso: 

1580 George Dieter, Ste 103, 79936

Monday through Friday: 8AM – 5PM

Saturday: 9AM – 12 Noon

Phone – 915-857-2474

The El Paso Fire Department is encouraging the community to take advantage of the popular Vaccinations for Health program, which is a successful part of the Medicaid Waiver Program.

Vaccinations for Health provides free influenza, blood pressure and glucose screenings to patients 18 and older, and pneumonia vaccines to those 65 and older.

There are 4 clinic dates in November and they are being held at the following locations and times:

Wednesday, Nov. 1: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 8: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 15: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

No health clinic during Thanksgiving week

Wednesday, Nov. 29: EPFD Safety, Health Outreach Center, 5415 Trowbridge Dr., 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Remember that the service is FREE to residents of El Paso and Hudspeth County who are 18 and over and DO NOT have medical insurance or are on Medicaid.

Health officials encourage residents who meet these guidelines to take advantage of the program. The goal of the program is to increase the wellness of the community.

For more information, residents are encouraged to call 3-1-1 or visit www.ephealth.com

Late Tuesday afternoon, the City of El Paso Department of Public Health announced the third flu-related death in the area this season.

The patient was a pre-teen girl with multiple chronic medical conditions. She tested positive for Influenza A and had not received a flu vaccine this season.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with this young girl’s loved-ones. A tragedy like this one reminds us why the work we do is so important,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “This is why we promote flu prevention to help prevent all kinds of diseases.”

The flu vaccine is still considered the first line of defense against the disease and El Pasoans should consider that it is not too late to be vaccinated.

In addition, the “4 C’s” can be used year-round to help prevent the spread of disease.

1. CLEAN – Wash your hands often. Scrub your hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

2. COVER – Cover your cough. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Don’t have a tissue? The crook of your elbow will do.

3. CONTAIN – Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. If you do get sick, stay home until you’re well again, so you don’t spread more germs.

4. CALL – Call or see your doctor if you or your child has a fever of greater than 100 degrees.

For more information on the programs and services provided by the Department of Public Health, please call 2-1-1 or visit www.EPHealth.com

Less than a week after the first flu-related death was identified in El Paso, the City of El Paso Department of Public Health has confirmed a second flu-related fatality.

This second death this season involves a woman in her 80’s who had underlying medical conditions. It is not known if she had received a flu vaccine for this flu season.

There were a total of two flu-related deaths in El Paso last season.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these individuals during this difficult time,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “We ask that our communities take note of the seriousness of the flu virus and take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease so that their deaths are not in vain.”

The flu vaccine is still considered the first line of defense against the disease and El Pasoans should consider that it is not too late to be vaccinated. The flu vaccine is still available at local retail outlets and through the “Vaccinations for Health” program which teams up the El Paso Fire Department with the El Paso Health Department.

Residents of El Paso and Hudspeth County who are 18 and over and do not have medical insurance or are on Medicaid qualify to receive the vaccine along with other services free of charge. The services will be offered March 1, 8, and 29, 2017 at the EPFD Safety Health Outreach Center located at 5415 Trowbridge Dr. from 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The Department of Public Health will team up with the Horizon Fire Department to offer free services that include free flu vaccines on March 13, 2017 at the El Paso County Self-Help Center located at15731 Kentwood Avenue, Horizon, TX, 79928. Services will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Residents are also asked to practice the “4 C’s” which have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the flu virus:

1. CLEAN – Wash your hands often. Scrub your hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

2. COVER – Cover your cough. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Don’t have a tissue? The crook of your elbow will do.

3. CONTAIN – Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. If you do get sick, stay home until you’re well again, so you don’t spread more germs.

4. CALL – Call or see your doctor if you or your child has a fever of greater than 100 degrees.

Influenza activity has been increasing over the past couple of weeks in El Paso and it is likely that flu activity will continue for several more weeks this season, so getting vaccinated now can still provide protection. As of mid-February there have been a total of 1,320 flu cases reported.

More than half of those cases were reported in the first weeks of February. There were a total of 1,684 cases of flu reported at this time during last years’ flu season.

The mission of the City of El Paso Department of Public Health is to Provide Public Health related research, evaluation, education, prevention, intervention, and preparedness services. For more information on the programs and services we provide, please call 2-1-1 or visit www.EPHealth.com

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has recorded the first flu-related death in our area this season.

The case involves a man in his 90’s who had underlying medical conditions. He tested positive for Influenza A, and it is not known if he had received a flu vaccine for this flu season.

“We are saddened anytime we see the flu virus claim a life in El Paso,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director. “We know the number of flu cases is increasing both locally and throughout the country right now and so we encourage residents to be on guard and do what they can to prevent the spread.”

The flu vaccine is still considered the first line of defense against the disease and El Pasoans should consider that it is not too late to be vaccinated. The flu vaccine is still available at local retail outlets and through the “Vaccinations for Health” program which teams up the El Paso Fire Department with the El Paso Health Department.

Residents of El Paso and Hudspeth County who are 18 and over and do not have medical insurance or are on Medicaid qualify to receive the vaccine along with other services free of charge. The services will be offered March 1, 8, and 29, 2017 at the EPFD Safety Health Outreach Center located at 5415 Trowbridge Dr. from 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

The Department of Public Health will team up with the Horizon Fire Department to offer free services that include free flu vaccines on March 13, 2017 at the El Paso County Self-Help Center located at 15731 Kentwood Avenue, Horizon, TX, 79928. Services will be offered from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Residents are also asked to practice the “4 C’s” which have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the flu:

1. CLEAN – Wash your hands often. Scrub your hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
2. COVER – Cover your cough. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Don’t have a tissue? The crook of your elbow will do.
3. CONTAIN – Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. If you do get sick, stay home until you’re well again, so you don’t spread more germs.
4. CALL – Call or see your doctor if you or your child has a fever of greater than 100 degrees.

As of mid-February there have been a total of 1,320 flu cases reported. More than half of those cases were reported in the first weeks of February. There were a total of 1,684 cases of flu reported at this time during last years’ flu season.

The mission of the City of El Paso Department of Public Health is to Provide Public Health related research, evaluation, education, prevention, intervention, and preparedness services. For more information on the programs and services we provide, please call 2-1-1 or visit www.EPHealth.com.

While many residents are counting down the days until Christmas and New Year’s, the City of El Paso Department of Public Health is counting down to the peak of this year’s flu season.

For the months of October and November, 159 confirmed cases of the flu have been reported to the Epidemiology Program. While this is lower than last year’s total of 277 cases during these two months, officials warn the peak of the flu season is typically still weeks ahead.

“We don’t usually see a spike in the number of flu cases until January or February. That’s why it is so important that residents in El Paso receive the flu vaccination right now,” said Fernando Gonzalez, Lead Epidemiologist. “Yearly flu vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza virus infection and its complications.”

It takes several weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. This is why the Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging residents to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

In addition to your primary health care provider, many local drugstores and retail outlets offer the flu vaccine. Parents may also call the DPH Immunization Program at 915-212-6555 to see if their children qualify for reduced-cost vaccination. Eligible children will not be denied vaccination if parents are unable to pay the administration fee.

Also, the Vaccinations for Health program (a partnership between the DPH and El Paso Fire Department) is offering the flu shot and a basic health screening to those who are age 18 and above who don’t have private medical insurance on Saturday December 19, 2015 at Fire Station 4 located at 1218 Randolph Dr. from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

It is important to keep in mind that the flu vaccine is still considered the first line of defense against the disease. Additionally, residents are asked to practice the “4 C’s” which have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the flu virus.

1. CLEAN – Wash your hands often. Scrub your hands for at least 30 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

2. COVER – Cover your cough. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Don’t have a tissue? The crook of your elbow will do.

3. CONTAIN – Contain germs by steering clear of others who are sick. If you do get sick, stay home until you’re well again, so you don’t spread more germs.

4. CALL – Call or see your doctor if you or your child has a fever of greater than 100 degrees.

The mission of the Department of Public Health is to provide research and evaluation, prevention, intervention, and mobilization services to the people of El Paso so they can be healthy, productive, safe and secure. For more information on the programs and services offered by the Department of Public Health, visit EPHealth.com or dial 2-1-1.

During the 2014-2015 flu season, 146 pediatric influenza-associated deaths were reported across the United States equating to a 31% overall increase in flu-related child death. Of those, 17 were right here in Texas.

Immunize El Paso is taking the lead to help stop vaccine-preventable death by teaming up with El Paso-area school districts, the City of El Paso Recreation Department and the El Paso County Nutrition Program.

While how well the flu vaccine works can vary, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against flu and its potentially serious complications. Millions of people have safely received flu vaccines for decades. Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.

“Persons at the greatest risk of developing flu related complications include children younger than 5, but especially younger than 2 years old” said Danny Acosta, Director of Immunize El Paso. “Adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant woman as well as suffers of asthma, heart disease, diabetes and those with a weakened immune system should immediately consider vaccination” Acosta continued.

Each year thousands of people in the United States die from flu, and many more are hospitalized. Flu vaccine is the best protection we have from flu and its complications. Vaccination also helps prevent spreading flu from person to person.

“Last year, flu activity increased through November and December before peaking in late December – meaning now is the best time to get vaccinated” Acosta further explained.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection.

Vaccines are available in the injectable and the mist form for adults & children. Patients 18 & younger who do not have insurance may also qualify for free vaccination thanks to a grant issued by the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas.

For more information on where to get vaccinated visit http://www.immunizeelpaso.org/ or call 857-2474.

Author:  Immunize El Paso