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According to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) the vaccine for H1N1, also known as ”swine” flu has arrived and will continue to arrive weekly throughout the fall and winter months. Here are some of the locations where the shots will be available, but are currently only providing general seasonal flu shots.

• Walgreens (H1N1 flu information provided)
• CVS Pharmacy (H1N1 flu information provided)
• Wal-Mart Flu Shot Clinics (H1N1 flu information provided)
• Rite-Aid (H1N1 flu information provided)
• Safeway (H1N1 flu information provided)

Local Public Health Clinics provides a full listing of California Local Public Health Departments. (Click on your city or county to go to the county web page where you will find current information about H1N1 flu vaccinations offered by the local public health clinic) – via CDPH.

For additional questions call: H1N1 Flu Hotline at 1-888-865-0564, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This article was originally published on CNN.com

By Elizabeth Cohen
CNN Senior Medical Correspondent

(CNN) — Next week, the long-awaited H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive. At least three of the four vaccine makers have begun shipping their products to undisclosed distribution centers.

There are two types of the vaccine available: the flu shot, an inactivated vaccine containing fragments of killed influenza virus, and a nasal spray, which is made using a weakened live flu virus. The nasal spray will most likely be the first to be widely distributed, however certain groups, including pregnant women, young children and people with compromised immune systems, cannot receive the nasal spray.

So far officials of the National Institutes of Health say that in clinical trials they’ve seen no serious side effects and that study subjects who have been immunized have generated a good response.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccine for certain high-priority groups because they are more likely to have serious complications if they develop swine flu. These groups include: pregnant women; caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months; everyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years; and people ages 25 to 64 with existing health problems.

Even people who are not in these groups can get the vaccine. But now the vaccine is almost here, the question is, “Do you want it?” We looked through our Empowered Patient inbox and it turns out that many of our readers still have questions. We consulted a team of experts to get their answers, which are edited for brevity and clarity.

When can I expect the H1N1 vaccine to be available where I live?

While the first supplies of the H1N1 vaccine are due out next week, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be available in your city. Since only 6 million to 7 million doses are expected next week, you might have to look around for it at the beginning. However, federal health authorities have stressed that within the next few months there will be plenty of vaccine to go around; 75 million doses will be produced before the end of the year.

Where can I find the vaccine when it comes out?

Check with your doctor, your children’s school and your local public health department. Right now there’s no central list of locations where swine flu vaccine will be offered, but the Department of Health and Human Services plans on putting information on Flu.gov as soon as possible.

For more answers to questions, continue this story at CNN.com

On September 9th, the Governor spoke to students in a Burbank high school, encouraging the “tech-savvy teenagers, budding actors, aspiring directors” to fight against the H1N1 virus, commonly known as Swine flu by creating / entering a short video that highlights how to prevent the spread of the swine flu.

“With the best and brightest talent right here in California, I cannot think of a better way to spread the word about protecting ourselves and others from the H1N1 flu this year,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “This competition allows [young] Californians to use their creative new media skills to develop innovative and effective videos that will remind all of us what steps we can take to slow the spread of both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus.”

There will be a total of four winners, from two language categories (English & Spanish) and the winning footage will be aired on various television spots as well as websites.

Contestants are invited to create 15, 30 and 60 second spots that highlight tips for avoiding the spread of swine flu, and regular seasonal flu. The main messages they are asking to have portrayed are the following: (continue reading…)

This update on the swine flu has been aggregated from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Website. They are posting weekly updates that we will watch to keep you informed of the situation.

Key Flu Indicators
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of August 30-September 5, 2009, a review of the key indictors found that influenza activity increased in the United States compared to the prior weeks. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

• Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) are increasing nationally. Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness are higher than what is expected during this time of year and have increased over the last four weeks.
• Total influenza hospitalization rates for adults and children are similar to or lower than seasonal influenza hospitalization rates depending on age group, but are higher than expected in the summer months. (continue reading…)