450 Get Flu Shots, Mist at 6th Napa County Clinic

A total of 400 people got flu shots, and another 50 received the flu mist vaccine at a three-hour Napa County flu clinic Monday at Napa Senior Center.

That's a healthy turnout and higher attendance than in the past, said Laura Keller, Napa County's director of public health nursing.

"Our numbers are up this year at all the clinics," Keller said. "I don't know exactly why -- but it could be more advertising, more public awareness."

Signs and notices have been posted in Napa County buses, the County of Napa website and area print and online media -- including Napa Valley Patch.

"The greater the turnout, the better it is for everyone," Keller said. "It prevents having so many sick people, so many doctor's visits and so many hospitalizations."

Monday's free flu vaccine clinic was the sixth so far run by the county. Another five are scheduled from now through Nov. 13.

They are:

--Angwin, Wed., Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Angwin Fire Dept., 275 College Ave.

--Napa, Mon., Oct. 21, 3 to 6 p.m., Napa Elks Lodge, 2840 Soscol Ave.

--American Canyon, Wed., Oct. 30, 3 to 6 p.m. Multi-Use Center, 2185 Elliot Drive.

--Calistoga, Mon., Nov. 4, 3 to 6 p.m., Calistoga Fairgrounds, Butler Pavilion, 1435 N. Oak St.

--Napa, Wed., Nov. 13, 3 to 6 p.m., McPherson Elementary, 2670 Yajome St.
 
Information on preventing falls is also available at each of the clinics from Karla Gardner, program coordinator for Stop Falls Napa Valley.