Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center will kick-off its no-cost flu shot clinics this Saturday, September 23, 2017 in the Atrium of Medical Offices 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Patients, employees, and physicians are sharing their “I got mine” flu shot stories on social media using #PCFluFighter.

Locally, flu shots will be given at Santa Clarita Medical Offices, 27107 Tourney Rd., Santa Clarita, 91355

Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s seasonal flu clinics also open region wide this Saturday, September 23. Vaccines are available to all Kaiser Permanente members at no cost. This year, to increase access to the vaccine, Kaiser Permanente members will be able to get their shots at more convenient locations than ever—at physicians’ offices, at drive-through flu shot clinics, in pharmacies, at optometry offices, and at walk-in flu clinics.

“The flu is a serious, highly contagious virus that can cause severe illness, serious complications, hospitalizations, and, in some cases, even lead to death,” said Richard Silverstein, MD, assistant area medical director, Kaiser Permanente Panorama City. “Getting a flu shot is the most important step we can all take to stay well and protect ourselves and loved ones against the influenza virus.”

Annual flu shots lower risk of catching the flu, developing flu-related complications, visits to doctors, and missed school or work days due to illness.

The timing of flu season is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season. During the 2015-2016 flu season, influenza activity began later than usual, and continued for a longer period than was expected, beginning in December and peaking in mid-March.

It’s important that everyone six months of age and older get a flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available. “It can take up to two weeks for the body to develop immunity, so it’s important to vaccinate as early in the season as possible. While children, pregnant women and the elderly are more at risk for complications from the flu, it can be just as serious for healthy young adults,” says Dr. Silverstein.

This flu season, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations, Kaiser Permanente will not offer FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine. Only injectable flu shots will be given.

For a complete list of clinic locations and times, and for more information about preventing or treating the flu, visit www.kp.org/flu.