News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Mountains Community Hospital Out of Flu Vaccine (Update)

Mountains Community Hospital Out of Flu Vaccine (Update)

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By Michael P. Neufeld
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Update - Tuesday 1:47 p.m.

Lake Arrowhead, CA - Mountains Community Hospital reports it was so overwhelmed by people wanting seasonal flu shots that they have run out of vaccine.

Stick It To The Flu this year by visiting the Mountains Community Hospital mobile van on Tuesday, November 3. The van will be located in the parking lot of Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

A spokesperson for the Lake Arrowhead Hospital explained that so many people turned out for the flu shots the facility "blew through" their vaccine and unfortunately had to turn people away.

"Due to the large volume of people wanting the flu shot and the short supply of vaccine we were able to obtain," spokesperson Susie Stuart explained, "we have run out of vaccine. Please watch for new posting on this site when MCH receives more vaccine".

Original Story

Lake Arrowhead, CA - Over 200,000 people are hospitalized each year for the seasonal flu and complications caused by the seasonal flu. Today, November 3, Mountains Community Hospital (MCH) is offering season flu shots to the public.

The mobile van will be in the parking lot of Mountains Community Hospital to provide shots for $20 per person from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until the vaccine supplies are exhausted. H1N1 flu vaccinations are not being offered at this time.

Stick It To The Flu this year by visiting the Mountains Community Hospital mobile van on Tuesday, November 3. The van will be located in the parking lot of Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Here are tips from Mountains Community Hospital on "Sticking it to the Flu" this year:

* Avoid close contact - Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

* Stay home when you are sick - If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

* Cover your mouth and nose - Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

* Clean your hands - Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth - Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

* Practice other good health habits - Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

For questions about the seasonal flu shots, call MCH Flu Shot Coordinator Rita Speers at (909) 336-3651, extension 330.

This article was first published on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 7:46 pm. This article has been viewed 835 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.