Ah-Choo!!! Is It Time to Get a Flu Shot?

It's really not too late. If you haven't yet received the seasonal flu shot, there's time.

San Mateo County Health officials are urging everyone ages 6 months and older to get a flu shot. Unlike in previous years of shortages, the flu vaccine is now widely available throughout the County.

Dr. Scott Morrow is the San Mateo County Health Officer. “The flu vaccine is safe. This season, the vaccine will protect against three strains of flu. The virus mutates from year to year, which is why it’s important for people to get vaccinated every year.”

Without a doubt, there are skeptics who don't believe in the shot. "I'm healthy, so I don't need the shot." "I think it's too late to get a shot." "Last time I got a shot, the vaccine made me sick." Specifically for the skeptics, the Centers for Disease Control has some answers.

We found flu shots available thoughout the Peninsula; pharmacies and grocery stores like Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid and Safeway allow for walk-ins. Your doctor has the vaccine. And for people in need, there are vaccination clinics throughout the County that we've listed below. No appointment is necessary for these clinics, and no I.D. is required. Some clinics may request a small donation. You can visit the County website for additional information, or call (650) 573-3927.

The flu season in California generally begins in October and peaks in late December through March. It takes about two weeks to gain protection after receiving a flu vaccination.

It is especially important that certain groups be vaccinated, such as pregnant women, children younger than five, adults 50 years and older, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, and people who live with or care for those at high-risk for complications from the flu.

The Centers for Disease Control website says this year's flu shot, as in past years, is a composite vaccination designed to protect against the three main flu strains likely to cause the most illness during the flu season. Since 1990, there has only been one season (1997–98) when the chosen vaccine was found to be a bad match to the viruses actually out there. Three seasons (1992–93, 2003–04, and 2007–08) were slightly better, but still left a lot of sick people suffering from the flu despite the shot.

The American Lung Association has an online Flu Vaccine Finder that allows you to find available facilities for flu shots in your area based on your zip code.

San Mateo County Vaccination Clinics:

(North County)

Daly City

Wed. Nov. 9, 9 am 12 noon

Lincoln Community Center

(Philippine Medical Society of Northern California)

901 Brunswick St.

Sat. Nov. 19, 10 am - 12 noon

Serramonte High School Galleria

699 Serramonte Blvd.

Mon. Nov. 21, Mon. Dec. 5, 5 - 8 pm

Daly City Clinic

380 90th St., 1st Floor

Sat., Dec. 3, 12 noon – 4 pm

Family Christian Fellowship

124 Northgate Ave.

San Bruno

Sun. Dec. 18, 12 noon to 4 pm

First Filipino American United Church of Christ

(San Francisco Host Lions Club)

461 Linden Ave.

South San Francisco

Wed., Nov. 2, Fri. Nov. 18, 9 am-12 noon

South San Francisco Health Center

306 Spruce St.

Sun. Nov. 6, 10 am – 3pm

St. Augustine’s Church (San Francisco Host Lions Club)

3700 Callan Blvd.

Sat. Dec. 3, 12:30-2:30 pm

Joseph Fernekes Recreation Center

781 Tennis Dr.

(Central County)

East Palo Alto

Wednesdays and Saturdays, Nov. 2 to Dec. 17, Wednesdays: 1-4 pm Saturdays: 8:30 to 11:30 am

Ravenswood Family Health Center

1798 - A Bay Rd.                          

Foster City

Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 am – 12 noon

Foster City Recreation Center (Foster City Lions Club)

650 Shell Blvd.

San Mateo

Thurs. Nov. 10, Dec. 8, 4 – 5:30 pm

Martin Luther King Community Center

725 Monte Diablo Ave.

Sat. Nov. 12, 10 am – 1 pm

San Mateo County Health Department

225 37th Ave.

(South County)

Menlo Park

Thursdays and Fridays, Nov. 3 through Dec. 16 (Closed Nov. 24 and Nov. 25)

Thursdays: 8:30 – 11:30 am

Fridays: 1-4 pm

Belle Haven Clinic

100 Terminal Avenue

Mon. Nov. 14, Dec. 5, 1:30-3:30 pm

Willow Clinic

795 Willow Rd., Bldg. 334

Thurs. Nov.17, Dec. 1, 10 am – 12:45 pm

St. Anthony's Church Padua Dining Room

3500 Middlefield Rd.

Redwood City

Thurs. Nov. 17, Tues. Nov 22, 9 am – 1 pm

Sequoia Health and Wellness Center

749 Brewster Ave.

Sat. Nov 19, 10 am – 1 pm

Fair Oaks Community Center
2600 Middlefield Rd.

Woodside

Sat., Nov. 12, 8:30-11:30 am

Woodside Fire Protection

3111 Woodside Rd.

(Coast)

Half Moon Bay

Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 am – 12 noon

Ted Adcock Community Center

650 Shell Blvd.

La Honda

Tues., Nov. 1, 4:30-6:30

Puente

8865 La Honda Rd., Suite 3

Pescadero

Thurs., Nov. 3, 4-7 pm

Pescadero Community Church

363 Stage Rd.