Published: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Public clinics in Everett, Lynnwood to offer free flu shots
The Health District will help those without insurance get the swine flu vaccine.
The Snohomish Health District is offering the swine flu immunization at its Everett and Lynnwood clinics, and for people who qualify, it will be free.
By expanding the hours the clinics offer the shot, up to 1,000 people a week can be immunized, said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District.
The public health agency is reserving the immunizations for people who may have trouble getting immunized, such as those who don’t have a doctor, who are uninsured or are low income, or Medicaid patients.
About 80 percent of people who live in Snohomish County have health insurance, Goldbaum said. So the health district wanted to provide a way for those who don’t have health insurance to get immunized for swine flu.
The vaccine is now limited to people who are at high risk for serious health problems if they get the flu, including pregnant women, health care and emergency response workers, people between the ages of six months and 24 years and those 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart problems or diabetes.
Nationally, production problems have caused slower-than-hoped for delivery of the vaccine. However, about 100,000 doses have arrived in Snohomish County, Goldbaum said.
This includes about 27,000 doses administered at two weekend mass vaccination clinics offered last month at sites throughout the county.
The vaccine is expected to be available at some area pharmacies by Dec. 7, Goldbaum said.
The health district hopes to especially encourage people between the ages of 19 and 24 to be immunized, Goldbaum said.
Information on who has been immunized so far shows that people in this age group are being vaccinated at far lower rates — about 5 percent — than other age groups now eligible.
This despite the fact that swine flu can hit young people hard, with complications such as pneumonia.
“It’s a very difficult group to reach,” Goldbaum said. “The likelihood of being hospitalized is pretty high among 20-year-olds. No one is immune to this.”
Roughly 10 percent of children in the 5-to-18 age group have been immunized, Goldbaum said.
Swine flu immunizations
The Snohomish Health District offers the swine flu immunization to people who are uninsured, have no doctor or are Medicaid patients.
Everett clinic: Call 425-339-5220 for an appointment between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday or Thursday at 3020 Rucker Ave., Suite 108.
Lynnwood clinic: Call 425-775-3522 for an appointment between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday or Wednesday at 6101 200th St. SW, Suite 100.
Who is eligible?
Pregnant women.
People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months.
Health care and emergency medical service workers.
Those 6 months through 24 years old.
People 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems.
By expanding the hours the clinics offer the shot, up to 1,000 people a week can be immunized, said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District.
The public health agency is reserving the immunizations for people who may have trouble getting immunized, such as those who don’t have a doctor, who are uninsured or are low income, or Medicaid patients.
About 80 percent of people who live in Snohomish County have health insurance, Goldbaum said. So the health district wanted to provide a way for those who don’t have health insurance to get immunized for swine flu.
The vaccine is now limited to people who are at high risk for serious health problems if they get the flu, including pregnant women, health care and emergency response workers, people between the ages of six months and 24 years and those 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart problems or diabetes.
Nationally, production problems have caused slower-than-hoped for delivery of the vaccine. However, about 100,000 doses have arrived in Snohomish County, Goldbaum said.
This includes about 27,000 doses administered at two weekend mass vaccination clinics offered last month at sites throughout the county.
The vaccine is expected to be available at some area pharmacies by Dec. 7, Goldbaum said.
The health district hopes to especially encourage people between the ages of 19 and 24 to be immunized, Goldbaum said.
Information on who has been immunized so far shows that people in this age group are being vaccinated at far lower rates — about 5 percent — than other age groups now eligible.
This despite the fact that swine flu can hit young people hard, with complications such as pneumonia.
“It’s a very difficult group to reach,” Goldbaum said. “The likelihood of being hospitalized is pretty high among 20-year-olds. No one is immune to this.”
Roughly 10 percent of children in the 5-to-18 age group have been immunized, Goldbaum said.
Swine flu immunizations
The Snohomish Health District offers the swine flu immunization to people who are uninsured, have no doctor or are Medicaid patients.
Everett clinic: Call 425-339-5220 for an appointment between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday or Thursday at 3020 Rucker Ave., Suite 108.
Lynnwood clinic: Call 425-775-3522 for an appointment between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday or Wednesday at 6101 200th St. SW, Suite 100.
Who is eligible?
People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months.
Health care and emergency medical service workers.
Those 6 months through 24 years old.
People 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems.
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