People Line Up For First Of Two Free Flu Clinics

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and the Medical Reserve Corps held a free flu vaccine clinic that set a local record.

Clinic manager Jan Koegler said they vaccinated more than 600 people in less than four hours. She called the number a record for the annual clinic held at the Goleta Valley Community Center the first week of December.

People under 50 could choose the shot or the flu mist.

Marina Hall and her brother Aidan chose the mist. Aidan Hall said it felt like water going up your nose when you swim. Marina Hall said she liked it better than the shot.

People waiting in line could hear a youngster cry before the vaccine but the child stopped crying as soon as it was over.

Influenza is a disease of the nose, throat and lungs that can lead to pneumonia and even death.

Another free clinic will be held at Fire Station 1 in Lompoc on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information go to http://cosb.countyofsb.org/phd/diseasecontrol.aspx