Press Release

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November 20, 2007

People often return from a holiday season trip to the mall with arms full of merchandise, but visitors to Somersville Towne Center on December 1 can also pick up something that could make their holidays healthier.

"Don't Give the Gift of Flu" is the theme of a one-day vaccination clinic at the Antioch mall being hosted by Contra Costa Health Services in a groundbreaking partnership between the private sector and a county health department to prevent disease.

"We are delighted that the management of Somersville Towne Center cares enough about their customers and neighbors to become the first mall to help us provide flu vaccinations in a popular shopping location," said Erika Jenssen, Immunization Coordinator for Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS). "It's not too late -- flu seasons often peak in February, so there's still time to get the whole family protected against the flu."

The clinic is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 1 at the mall, 2550 Somersville Road, Antioch. The mall will be open for business throughout the clinic. Vaccinations will be free for everyone with a minimum age of six months. They will not be given to people with a fever or an allergy to eggs.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all adults 50 or older should get a flu shot annually. Flu vaccine is also especially recommended for all children younger than age 5, pregnant women, those who care for children under 6 months or the elderly, health care workers and people who have a chronic disease such as those of the heart, lung (including asthma), kidney or blood.

The December 1 clinic is also serving as "Super Point of Dispensing" drill with CCHS, the county Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services, the City of Antioch, Antioch Police Department, and the mall management collaborating on the exercise. The agencies will be conducting the clinic as an exercise as if they were dispensing medication during a health emergency.

"The clinic gives us the opportunity to exercise the vaccination capabilities for use of the Strategic National Stockpile," said Kim Cox, CCHS Emergency Services Manager, referring to the stockpile of emergency medication distributed by the federal government. "East County will be better prepared for a health emergency as a result of this drill." For more information about flu vaccinations, visit the CCHS website at cchealth.org or flucliniclocator.org for a listing of flu clinics.

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