Influenza Resources

It is important to get vaccinated for influenza every year. Everyone six months and older needs a flu shot.

Where to Get a Flu Shot

Persons with health insurance, including Medicare, are encouraged to get a seasonal flu shot at their health care provider's office.

•  You can access the Health Insurance Market Place, which has plans that cover free flu vaccines.
• If you have no regular health care provider, please call the community clinic in your area for information about the flu shot.
• For Kaiser Members: You can call 1800-KP-FLU-11 (800-573-5811).
• Sutter Care at Home offers flu shot clinics, call (707) 535-5690.
• The Health Map Vaccine Finder is a free, online service where users can search for locations offering flu vaccines.
• Many local pharmacies offer the influenza vaccine. 

Who Should Get a Flu Shot

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year to protect themselves as well as others. It is especially important that certain people be vaccinated because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, children, elderly and those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, a weak immune system, morbid obesity, or younger than age 19 and on long-term aspirin therapy.

• People at High Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications
  Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• All persons aged 6 months and older are recommended for annual vaccination, with rare exception.
  Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

General Influenza Vaccine Information

• Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccines
  Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): Inactivated Influenza
  Source: Immunization Action Coalition. 

For Health Providers

• 2022-2023 Influenza Health Order
• ACIP Recommendation for Healthcare Workers (PDF: 134 kB)

Influenza Guidance for Specific Groups

• Businesses & Employees
  Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Schools and Childcare Providers
  Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu
  Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Influenza Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
  Source: California Department of Public Health.
• Flu Toolkit to Prevent the Spread of Flu in Acute and Long-term Care Facilities
  Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Pregnant Women and Influenza (Flu)
  Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Sonoma County Influenza Vaccine Partnership

The Sonoma County Influenza Vaccine Partnership distributes state and federally funded influenza vaccine to local public health centers and other eligible agencies at no charge. Partners agree to administer the vaccine according to program guidelines on appropriate use of the vaccine, proper storage and handling practices, and accurate reporting of vaccine usage.

Eligible Providers

Eligible providers include local public health centers, nonprofit organizations, and community organizations who serve clients who are low-income, under-insured or uninsured.

Ineligible Providers 

For-profit organizations, organizations with the means to purchase flu vaccine, organizations able to bill Medicare or other insurance, and organizations whose client base is fully-insured.

How to Enroll 

Email: IZNurse@sonoma-county.org by July 1 to enroll. 

Program Overview

• State-funded influenza vaccine is primarily intended for uninsured or underinsured adults, but may also be used for persons 6 months or older with no other accessible source of flu vaccine.
• No fee should be charged for the vaccine itself, and no more than $2.00 can be charged for vaccine administration.
• Medical staff should exercise medical judgement in prescribing influenza immunization and screen patients for contraindications before vaccine administration.
• Each person receiving flu vaccine should receive a copy of the Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS).
• Per California’s Mercury Law, Children under 3 years of age and women who are knowingly pregnant must be given only preservative-free vaccine.

 Record Keeping and CAIR Data Entry

• Records of each influenza immunization given should be retained for at least three years.
• Program participants are required to enter all doses administered into the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) database. Contact the CAIR Helpdesk CAIRHelpdesk@cdph.ca.gov or (800) 578-7889 if you do not already have an account.

Vaccine Storage and Handling

• Influenza vaccine should be stored in a refrigerator at 2°- 8° C (36°- 46°F) where temperatures are monitored and recorded twice daily. Sites are required to use a digital data logger (DDL) for temperature monitoring.
• Program participants must designate a Vaccine Coordinator and Backup Coordinator who are responsible for ensuring their site’s adherence to all storage and handling guidelines outlined in the EZIZ training and the CDC Vaccine Management Toolkit.
• Sonoma County will conduct annual on-site or remote storage and handling checkups to program participants, to ensure that influenza vaccines are stored and handled according to the above standards. We are also available to assist as needed if your site encounters barriers to meeting vaccine storage and handling requirements.
• In the event of a temperature excursion, label all exposed vaccine “DO NOT USE” and contact the manufacturer about the viability of doses.

Vaccine Pickup, Return, and Transportation

• Program participants will be instructed on when and where to pick up influenza vaccine. Vaccine should be transported in a hard sided cooler with a data logger, ice packs, and bubble wrap to maintain temperatures within 2°- 8° C (36°- 46°F)