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San Diego County leaders continue to urge public not to skip flu shot

Posted at 12:53 PM, Oct 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-28 15:53:23-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – County leaders are continuing to urge San Diegans that 2020 is not the year to skip the flu shot as we head into colder months amid a nearly year-long pandemic.

On Wednesday, the fourth of six flu vaccine clinics was held by San Diego County’s Health and Human Services in Logan Heights. All hands were on deck with nurses from across the county, as more people are heading to the free clinics to get their flu shot this season.

"This is a year to be vigilant of protecting yourself from influenza and getting a vaccine, so we don't run into a situation where people are not only getting COVID, but getting influenza, and clogging our medical response system," said Thomas Zurek, public health nurse manager with the county.

Zurek said while we can't control the spread of COVID-19 with a vaccine, we can when it comes to the spread of influenza, which hits hard during cold months when more people are indoors.

Zurek added he hopes the free clinics will help keep people out of hospitals this season so staff can focus patients affected by COVID-19.

"Our numbers have been above what we're normally than seeing this time of year, which is great," Zurek said.

The county will hold two more vaccine clinics Thursday and next Tuesday:

  • Thursday, Oct. 29, at East Public Health Center, 367 N. Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3, at North Inland Public Health Center, 640 W. Mission Ave #2, Escondido