Four more Kern County residents died of complications of the H1N1 Flu in the last week, bringing the local death toll to 14, the Kern County Health Department reported Tuesday. The H1N1 Flu has hospitalized 162 local people since the beginning of the year, the health department said.
The Health Department also reported the county’s first 2009 death from the seasonal flu. Eleven people have been hospitalized with flu strains other than H1N1.
The figures report deaths and illnesses from Tuesday to Tuesday.
The H1N1 victims include five men and nine women, all of whom had underlying medical conditions before they contracted the virus. Although the Health Department won’t talk specifically about local victims, ‘’underlying medical conditions’’ has been defined nationally to include heart disease, lung disease, immune deficiency, diabetes, asthma, obesity and even pregnancy.
The Health Department urged people in ''priority groups'' to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Those groups include Dr. Claudia Jonah, Kern County Health Officer, adds, “Priority groups for H1N1 Flu Vaccine include: Children 6 months to 24 years; Pregnant women; Caregivers of children 6 months of age and younger; Persons with underlying health conditions 24 years to 64 years; and Healthcare Workers.
Some doctors' offices have the vaccination.
Free distribution is set for:
Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Wasco Public Health Office, 810 Eighth St. Wasco.
• Thursday, Nov. 12 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Boys and Girls Club, 8301 Segrue Rd., Lamont.
• Friday, Nov. 13 from 2 pm to 5 pm at Coronado Baptist Church, 516 Norris Rd. Bakersfield.
• Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 10 am to 1 pm at the Weldon United Methodist Church Social Hall.
• Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 9 am-11 am 20021 Highway 178 Weldon.
• Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 9 am-11 amo Rand Community Building 27721 Hwy 395 Johannesburg.
• Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 9 am-11 am at the Kern County Fire Station, 26965 Cote St., Boron
- Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 9 am-11 am 10350 Heather Ave at the Strata Center, California City.
