By Cynthia Gibson
Contributing Writer
CULVER CITY — The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health administered a record number of flu vaccines during a free three-hour drive-through clinic at the Culver City Julian Dixon Library Oct. 21.
“We brought 350 vaccines and we’ve given all of them,” said Los Angeles county emergency preparedness nurse Helen Obih. “That’s the most we’ve done so far at this location.
Raphael Mendoza brought his wife and two children to the clinic. This was the first time the 41-year old Los Angeles resident and his family had been vaccinated for the flu.
“We’re in the middle of a pandemic,” Mendoza said. “Mayor Garcetti is helping our community with the free flu shot, so we’re doing it for that reason and because we don’t want to get sick.”
Mendoza parked his mini-van while he and public health nurse Debrina Campbell coaxed his 7-year old daughter Mia into receiving her first flu shot.
“It’s been like this all day,” Campbell said. “Especially with the children, they’re hesitant. Some adults — mainly the males — are hesitant, too, if it’s their first time.”
Those that have not previously received a flu vaccination are monitored for 15 minutes to ensure there is no adverse reaction, Campbell said.
This is the seventh year that the department of Public Health has partnered with the county library system to provide free flu clinics. Of the 11 library locations, the Julian Dixon Library is the only location offering drive-through flu shots.
The next flu shot clinic is scheduled Nov. 4 at the Huntington Park Library.
